Vertues common-vvealth: or The high-way to honour Wherin is discouered, that although by the disguised craft of this age, vice and hypocrisie may be concealed: yet by tyme (the triall of truth) it is most plainly reuealed. ... By Henry Crosse.

VERTVES COMmon-wealth : or the high-way to honour .

THe fame eternized T●lly , in his booke of duties setteth downe , that the teaching of any doctrine , which is to be taken in hand in due forme , the exordium must begin with a definition , that the life of the subiect whereof the discourse doth run , may the better be vnderstood . Vertue , is an elected habit , or a setled qualitie , consisting in a meane , & that meane standeth in the midst Vertue , desined . of two extreams , the more , & the lesse , and this that some laudable action , which by no other name can be termed but by the onely title of Vertue . Vice is opposite to Vertue , a habit of the minde annexed to nature , not striuing with reason , an inconstant desire in the whole life : rebelling against honestie : which two affections , growe Vice de●ined . vp to a habit by degrees , through vse and exercise , chosen by the rationall partes , and when by custome the will is setled in the course of either , the whole disposion is carried to good or bad .

Ex viro , dicitur virtus . The Stoikes , call Vice and Vertue , Animalia , liuing creatures , because by them a man is discerned , for in respect of Vertue , a man is said to be a man , which is the Etymologie of the word , and in respect of Vice , to be a beast , because he wanteth those faculties , and demensions , 〈◊〉 proper to a vertuous and good man .

Vertue is diuided into two parts , the Intellectiue , and the the Mortall , the former is begotten and nourished by good tutors , reading good Bookes , and exercise , from this floweth wisedome , science , prudence , memorie . The latter commeth by custome and vse , for these two are so forcible , as by it a man may get him a second nature , Actus . and this worketh this thing called Actus , in the extreame parts , and is the mother of Liberalitie , Fortitude , and of all good manners .

The diuine essence of the soule , beholdeth nothing with contentment , but the perfect Idea of Vertue ▪ being so pure and excellent , as she onely aymeth at perfect happinesse ▪ if the corruption and disobedience of the body , did not contaminate & defile her . And therefore the Philosophers say , when she is in the company of good men she possesseth ioy , but among euill , is euermore in heauinesse : for the soule is occupied in heauenly contemplation , and delighted to know her Creator , his omnipotent maiestie and power , the workes of nature : but being imprisoned followes the bodies inclination , The Christian Vertue . and by that meanes is kept backe from the hauen wherevnto it would most willingly arriue . But according to a Christian exposition , the verie faculties of the soule , are so essentially defiled with Adams transgressions , that it hath no power to thinke one good thought , or beget an acceptable motion , before it be regenerated and borne anew ; for Christian Vertue standeth in Faith , Hope , and Charitie , not fashioned according to Philosophie ; but to haue him the Author , which is both truth and righteousnesse .

We must not rest then vpon the morrall vertue , and make that the chiefe good , which are but steppes to clyme vp therevnto , as the wise Heathen taught : for all theyr doctrine , was but to fashion the outward man to ciuill obedience , making that the end which are but motiues to the end . For it is not all one , to be a morrall wise man , and a good Christian , a great proficient in humane Sciences , and a great Clarke in diuine misteries , heere is a maine difference , let no man repose himselfe , vpon such a sandie and shallow foundation , if he will stand sure : but build on Christ the Rocke , the bright starre of the immortall maiestie , on him to cast Anchor , purifie the inward parts , and digge vp that dunghill of filthinesse , deriued from originall corruption . Mans happinesse standeth not in pleasures , honour , nor in the goods of Fortune : but onely in those holy Vertues which proceed from a pure heart . This is the plaine pathway to sanctitie , and immortallitie , Vice sincking downe to hell , the one , with Eagle-winges mounts vp to heaue● ▪ the other , clogges the soule with leaden thoughts , benumming her dexteritie , for so high a flight .

But to prosecute my intent , which is to handle the morrall Vertues , and lay open the parts of humanitie , it wil not be amisse to touch by the way , the foure chiefe and principall Vertues , called cardinall Vertues , as Prudence , ●ustice , Fortitude , and Temperance , which are distinguished one from the other by their seuerall properties , all conioyne in one , and make a vnion : For though Vertue be subsisting in one single being , yet because of diuers workes , she is deuidable , and albeit many sprigges growe out of these foure braunches , yet is shee called Vertue in the singular number .

Prudence . Prudence , is a certaine brightnesse shining in the minde , by which the light of truth is descried , foreseeing what is fit to be done , a true affection , labouring by reason to finde out the quallitie , and to iudge what is iust , fit , honest , profitable , equall , and good , not onely aduisedly looking to the first motiue cause : but also to the consequent and finall endes , by this the present felicitie , and infelicitie of this life , is sweetly tempered , and all things ordered in comelinesse .

Whosoeuer rashly setteth vpon his businesse without her , rusheth vpon the rockes of errour ▪ and by his owne headie opinion commeth soone to ruine : because it is impossible to effect any thing well , vnlesse he be guided by her light , neither can hee be able to discerne good from euill , things profitable , from thinges preiudiciall : but as a blinde man doth venterously trauaile without a guide , and at euery step readie to stumble : so hee that is ignorant in plotting his affaires , wadeth in darkenesse , wherein euery storme of triall doth ouerturne his pollicie .

A prudent man , is so cautelous and vigillant , as wel in the consideration of fore-passed daungers , as in preiudicating perills to come , that he meeteth with euerie mischiefe , and is not ouertaken , with non putaui , had I wist , for hauing set his rest on a firme ground , doth not doubt but expect , not repent in the end , but reioice in the whole action : so that she regardeth things past , present , and to come , and bendeth her force to that part that is needfull , to defend the weakenesse of reason , and when she hath drawne out the plot , which honestie doth require , committeth it to Sapience , whch as a hand-maide , is readie to execute that in the outward worke , which before was determined . The main difference betweene these two , is , the former is a generall comprehending and knowledge of things ; the other an experience of that in action . For as by reasoning , reading , and conuersing with wise men , a man may vnderstand much : yet without practise all is nothing . Before a Phisition doth minister to his Patient , he searcheth into the nature of the disease , and acquaints himselfe with the state of the body , which hauing once found out , it is to no end if he apply not himselfe in outward meanes , to benefite the sicke person with his potion : So if there be but a defused Scire tuum nibil est : nisi te scire , ho● sciat alter . knowledge of things , and as it were such a collection , as by it the vnderstanding is bettered , and no outward demonstration , it is as treasure hid in the earth and serues for no vse : for there be markes to knowe a prudent man by , if hee be vniustly vexed , troubled , Ennius . or in pouertie , sicknesse , and tossed too and fro in Notes of a wise man . miserie , if he reioyce in these afflictions , and patiently beare the crosse , the same is a prudent man , and his suffring maketh it a meane to him : but when a man is chastised either in body or goods , and will not suffer without griefe and muttering , the same is a vitious and imprudent man . To be briefe , she is the right disposer of all things , an enemie to ignorance , the key of knowledge , which openeth the rich treasure of diuine and humane things ; doing nothing but that which is right , iust , and praise-worthy .

Iustice . Iustice , is a vertue that giueth to eueryman his owne , the first and principall part whereof is , and euer was , to doo God that honour which is due to his diuine maiestie , consisting in feare , loue , & reuerence , for as Iustice will equally render to euery man his owne , & bring discording things to an equalitie , by considering the difference betweene them : so much more and most of all , it is most iust , to loue God , of whom wee haue all that we haue , and being perished by originall corruption , were eftsoones recouered , by the sufferings of his son : this part of Iustice , ought to be imbraced with other affection than the Heathen , who wandring in the darknes of ignorance , know not God as he is . A iust man coueteth not that that is an others , but rather neglecteth his owne for the good of the Common-wealth , nor with a greedie humor , doth incroach vpon his neighbors possession . Without Iustice , no estate can subsist , for all vertues are comprehended vnder the name of Iustice , of which a man is said to be a good man , for all the other vertues cannot make a man good , if Iustice be absent . Tully calleth her the Lady & Queen of all other vertues ; by her is the societie of man preserued , the most excellent blessing that euer God gaue to man was , to be gouerned by Iustice , which bridleth the hot fury of the wicked , comforteth the innocent , & equally decideth between Meum , & Tuam . And he that is exercised herein , his mind is lifted vp to the apprehension of greater wisdome . For howsoeuer the world is troubled with hurly burly , yet the quietnesse of his minde is no whit distracted , but resting in securitie , smileth at the worlds turbulent state . Finally it is a bloud in the vain , giuing life to the whole body , the head of all vertues : for of her selfe she may do many things , but without her the rest can doo nothing rightly .

●ortitude . Fortitude is a greatnesse of mind , which without furious or rash resolution , feareth not to hazard it selfe in the greatest perils , and with eager pursuite to hunt after honourable actions , thirsting after glory , not respecting the tedious difficultie of the passages therevnto , to encounter with dangers , wade through the mystic clouds of darknes , & willingly endure all bitternes of fortune , for the safegard of the country , such were Scipiones , Fabij , Alcibiades , Hannibal , &c. who by their valour & great prowes , reached to the top of honour . Neither is true Fortitude measured by the compasse of a great body , nor by dooing great enterprises , in respect of the huge stature , but by a fierce and couragious spirit , stri●ing The cause maketh a Martyr . in a good cause , the cause is all , it is not the torment that maketh a Martyr , but the cause for which he suffereth . So that to speake properly , Fortitude is that which is granted vpon good cause , & possible to be atchieued , such true valour was in Dauid , who could not abide to heare the name of God blasphemed by such a monster as Goliah , & therefore knowing God would aide his enterprise , he relyed not vpon his owne strength , but cast off all vaine glory , for when matters are rightly attempted , many straunge aduentures proceed , euen as it were by myracle : a iust & honest cause maketh a man bolde , hardie , and venterous , to striue against one of greater force ; as King Alexander , being of small body , sought hand to hand with Porrus , which was a more mightie man : it is not then any great person or huge Collosse , that can triumph ouer a good cause .

The Romaine Scipio was wo●t to say , no man ought to leuie war , or fight with his enemie without iust cause offred : but if hee were prouoked by an iniust intrusion , it booteth not to tarry til they come , but intercept them in comming , for such cause giueth encouragement to set vpon them freely .

As when our common enemies in 88. with their Spanish The Spanish brauadoes . braues meant to haue inuaded our Territories , and came armed with instruments of tirannie to insult ouer our nation , and to bring our necks into a Spanish yoake , it pleased God to abate their pride , and turne their cruelties into their owne bosomes . Heere was cause to make a coward valiant , and the fearefull forward to fight , because he was compelled to take vp weapons for his owne safetie ; and he that will not defend himselfe , is not worthy to liue in peace , especially when his wife , children , father , mother , brothers , sisters , yea the whole Countrey is in daunger ●o be torne and rent in peeces by sauage and mercilesse tyrants . When it is for a common defence , is not he a wretch that will sit still and see his mothers throate cut ? What if he dye in the conflict ? were he not better to dye honourably like a Martyr and souldier of Christ , then liue to see the ruine and desolation of his whole Countrey ? wherefore no man ought to stagger or saint at a good cause , but bee the more imboldened , because it giueth good encouragement . We may call to mind , and we cannot remember it too often , the ouerthrowe they then had , not simply in respect of our owne prowesse , but by the assistance of a higher power , we being but a poore handfull to their great multitude ; they came like Briarius , threatning the heauens , and casting mountaines at Iupiter ; yet theyr glorious tytle of inuincible was confounded , to theyr God g●ue the victori● . shame , and our glory : this we may thinke vpon with reuerence , but ascribe the honour of the victorie to him by whose meanes it was wrought . If warre be leuied without cause , or if one man shall be so foole-hardie to attempt things impossible , and presume on his strength to assaile a greatmany , beyond hope to vanquish , it is no maruaile , if the successe fall out against his desire , for Ne Herculus contra duos . For Hercules himselfe held it oddes to deale with two : but when for the common good of the Countrey ( as I said before ) any man shall vndertake some hard aduenture to free it of some imminent perill ( if sent by imperiall commaund ) though he loose his life in the action , yet for that hee is indued with true Fortitude , doth winne immortalitie : as the three Romans called Decij , who for the safegard of their Countrey auowed to dye , and with resolute and vndaunted courages , pierced the host of their enemies , and though they lost their liues , yet by their stout example gaue such audacitie and courage to the rest of the Romaines by prouoking them forward , as they easily obtained the victorie , which was thought to be vnconquerable . I might speake the like of Codrus , Marcarius , Curtius , Marcus , and Regulus , which dyed most willingly for their Countrey . I might recite here also a Catalogue of those valorous English Knights , that haue honourably yeelded vp their liues in the field of Mars , for their Prince and Countrey : but that I intend not now to make an Apologie of this Vertue , but referre it to a Treatise of Iustice , which I suppose shall succeed this worke , especially vpon the improuement of this , God giuing mee time and quietnesse of minde to performe that .

This manlinesse is a Vertue that fighteth in defence of equitie and iust dealing : but we neuer finde that any man got true praise and honour by rash furie , for nothing is honest that is voyd of Iustice . He that is hastie to surprise a man , & soone moued to impatiencie without iust cause cause doth rather merit the name of leaud boldnesse , then manly courage , because this Vertue standeth in honest deeds , and not in vaine glory , and being truly carried , serueth as a hammer to beate downe those Vices , that oppose themselues to the beautie of Vertue , which chiefly doth appeare , when preferment doth lift a man alo●t , by imbracing humilitie , and ouercomming pride , which soone creepes vpon the aduanced : or if tossed in aduersitie he be vigorous , and beare an inuincible courage , to combat against the passion of the minde , which is ready basely to decline : for whatsoeuer falleth out crookedly , is turned to the better part , she inableth to vndergoe damage , to beare iniurie , to be patient , and not to st●rre , but for a common good , or his priuate defence , when a violent intrusion is made vnto his person .

Many hide themselues vnder the wings of this Vertue , that neuer seeke to apprehend her aright , and would True valour standeth not in vaine qua●elling . seeme valorous and magnanimous , when they are but white liuerd cowards and miscreants : as many of these brawlers and swashbucklers , whose hot bloud once stirred , cannot be cooled without reuenge and field-meetings , which for euery light cause they vndertake , and so violently swaid with fury , that they rush forward into all desperation , without reuerence of the lawes of God , the law of nature , loue , charitie , & which is aboue all , care of their owne saluation , do arrogant to themselues glory , by defacing and spoyling the Image of their Creator . The sonnes of Cain thus maistred with wrathful fu●ie , murder and dismember their bretheren , and as catiues and slaues , bend the will to such inhumane crueltie , and so become branded to euerlasting destruction . Now if all Vertue doth consist in obeying God , keeping his lawes , maistring wicked anger , and holding concord , how can that be praised which is against such a blessed assembly of vertues ? or how thinke they , that that offence can be remitted , which is abhorred , detested , & so expresly prohibited in the sixt Commaundement ? men ought to liue in Christian amitie , and leaue all reuenge to him , who saith , Vengeance is mine , and I will repay it . The poore Cinick , when one had hit him on the eare , I thought ( quoth he ) I had left The patience of ● Heathens memorable . one place vncouered .

Socrates being tolde one spake many railing and euil words of him , was no whit moued thereat : and being asked why he would beare so great indignitie , answered ; if he spake truth , I haue no cause to be grieued , being iustly blamed ; if false , I haue lesse cause to be angry , because that which hee spake pertained not to mee . O that men would learne patience ● and not so often fight and murder one an other , for verball and idle quarells : for now if one amongst a hundred be patient , quiet , will carrie coales , and meekely suffer rebuke , he is noted of cowardize , and deuoyd of manly parts .

Now lastly followeth Temperance , as a sad and sober Matron , a prouident guide and wise Nurse , awaiting Temperanc● . that voluptuousnesse haue no preheminence in the soule of man , the most glorious Vertue in any kinde of estate , she ordereth the affections with continencie , an enemie to lust , and a mediocritic in the pleasures of the body , whose office is to cou●t nothing that may bee repented of afterwarde , nor to exceede the boundes of modestie , but to keepe desire vnder the yoake of reason . Of the lyneaments of her perfection , the whole world doth subsist and abide , euen from the lowest to the highest , without whom our lusts would ouerthrowe our vnderstanding , and the body rebell against all good order , and the habit of reason wholy suppressed : for shee tempereth and keepeth in frame This little m●cr●co●mi● is vph●ld by Temperance . the whole body of man , without whose aide many enemies would creepe in , and infect our best parts , and vtterly ruinate and cast downe the bulwarke of reason , and walles of vnderstanding : but hee that doth sacrifice his endeuours to so diuine an essence , swimmeth safe betweene two Riuers deuoyd of daunger . Extreames are euer hurtfull ; for if a man eate too much or too little , doth it not hurt the body ? so is it of too immoderate labour , or too much idlenesse , of too much boldnesse , and too much cowardnesse : these extremities are vicious and euill , but the meane doth temper them both .

No man is wise , happy , or any thing worth , if Temperance square not out the course of his life . And herein the benefite of olde age is to bee honoured , for that it hath this preheminence ouer youth , time hath weakened theyr affections , abated their courage , and stayed the intemperate blastes of vnbrideled libertie , and by long experience haue gotten a more large portion then they , whose affections being strong , and discretion weake , set themselues against this Vertue , eclipse her brightnesse with the fogges of ignorance . And for this cause haue wise men so ioyfully embraced olde age , which Tully so highly applaudes in his booke De Senectute .

This is guided by Prudence , which doth gouerne the life of man with such reason , as shee is euer carefull for the welfare of the body , by curbing those passions of the mind , which are vehement and vnruly : by her the mind is made capable of honest actions , and beautifull demeanours , and like a prouident gouernesse , ruleth ouer concupiscence & flouds of lusts , which would else surround the puritie of the minde . A potion to purge the soule , an Antidote against pride , and a valiant tryumpher ouer flaming desires , not like Aetna , too hotte , or Caucassus too colde : but is content betweene both , and reioyceth in it .

If the bodie be not dieted with moderation , it will proue a stubborne seruant to the soule , vnfruitfull , fit for nothing but thorny cogitations , the greatest enemies to the spirituall powers that can be , for the flesh pampered in delicates , or kept short of her naturall needments , is effeminated , corrupted , and weakened , and many diseases be gotten , which are all staid by a meane and temperate dyet and the boyling lusts of the bodie asswaged .

Thus farre of these Vertues : more might be added , if I meant to intreat of them at large : but this briefe recapitulation , may serue as an introduction , to our following discourse . Omnis virtus , vna virtus absoluta , All Vertues , are but one simple Vertue , being chained and Plato . linked so neer together , as one cannot be sundred from the other , without disparagement of the whole . Fortitude is a noble Vertue , but if destitute of Iustice , shee is hurtfull to the good ; if Temporance keepe not her vnder she will turne into rage ; and if Prudence be absent , they all fall into error . There is a mutuall league , a proximitie , and neare acquaintance , which doth conglutinate and ioyne them all in one , one must haue relation to an other , and follow by degrees ; Pietie , Truth , and Temperance , must march before Fortitude ; In a word , Vertue is no other but Vitium fugere : hating Vice , and loathing euil , and we better knowe her by her contrary , then by her selfe , which doth make the imagination gesse at Vertue a farre off : so that knowing Vice , is a good grounde of Vertue , whereby the inwarde powers are helde in , with vnspotted simplicitie , farre more better then such as cunningly seeke to knowe what Vertue is , then willingly betake themselues to follow it in theyr life , so that knowledge is not enough alone , vnlesse it be practised by outward action : for it is better to doo wisely , then wisely to deuise .

So that in generall , Vertue rightly carried , comprehendeth whatsoeuer , is conducing and leading to a good and holy life , and hee that once hath tasted the sweetnesse of one , is drawne with much desire to an other ; one good thing begetteth an other , and taking once a deepe impression , his estate is thereby preserued incorruptible without chaunge : whereas if a man taketh holde on externall goods , and leane to the mutabilitie of Fortune , doth often stumble vpon many daungerous Rockes , and fall into wretchednesse , when Vertue will firmely vpholde a man in the midst of all calamitie .

Horatius . Villius argentum est auro , virtutibus ●●r●m .

Siluer is cheaper then Gold , and Gold of lesse price then Vertue . She is of great moment and most inestimable value , although a carnall and grosse minde , cannot equally deeme the price of so rare a Iewell , for where ignorance doth couer the minde , she is reiected and held of base esteeme : as a simple peasant trampleth many wholsome hearbes vnderfoote , which a skilfull herbalist would carefully gather vp , & extract some rare quintessence out of theyr hidden secrets . Wilt thou build thy safetie vpon a sure foundation ? then here is the rocke that no tempest can shake ; here is a shelter to defend thee from perils , a safegard to preserue the puritie of the soule , from beeing polluted by the concupiscence of the body , and though neuer so many stormes of aduersitie and shewers of persecution , beate vpon thee ( being in this world as in a wildernesse of woes ) yet shrowding thy selfe vnder the Cannapie of Vertue , thou ioyest in the middest of all sorrow , and though the whole world be of an vprore , yet what is that to thee ? thou art no whit moued thereat , for Animo calestia tangis , thy affections are mounted vp to heauen , & thy mind aduanced aboue all earthly weaknesse .

It is not onely hard , but very difficill to finde out , which of the Vertues are most predominant , that the victory may be imputed to her , because they are all knit in one single vnion , for the good of the soule . For as one linke of a chaine draweth an other , and an other after , til it come to the last , the Antecedent the Relatiue : so one Vertue is an Adamant that draweth an other Vertue vnto it .

And though shee take vp her lodging in a crooked and deformed body ( as she is euer readie to dwel where shee findeth the heart yeeldable to honestie ) yet penetrating with inward desire , and bringing the stragling powers of the minde to a vniformitie , doth make vp the want of nature , with a supply of grace , causing him shine like Christall , for when the life is laudably lead , there appeareth so great a glory , that it is not onely admirable to the eyes of man , by reason of formall carriage in humanitie : but also high pleasing to God , by the intellectuall goodnesse , Vertue , is the spurre of Honour . It is not the aboundance of wealth and great dignitie , that maketh a man truly noble : but the possession of Vertue , which is true honour and auncient riches , and is not gotten by loytering Idlenesse ; but with industrie and much labour , for Ardua virtutis via est , T is labours force that carrieth a man to Vertue , a hard entrance , a continuall perseuerance , because he must encounter against his passions , and stop the flouds of intemperance : for such high and admirable things cannot be had without effectuall indeuour , and by how much the more straighter the passage is therevnto ; by so much the more carefull must hee be , least it slip away through arrogance or vaine glory : for in Vertue , pride begins to swell , or some Vice or other to creep in , which if not beaten back at the first , wil hazard the whole frame of Vertue ; or beeing maistred by some ouer-weening thought , or singularly carried away with selfe-loue , a passion of the minde disquieting reason , doth wholly estraunge himselfe from her Beatitude ▪ loosing those complements which formerly he was possest of .

Maior nobilitas . The reward of Vertue , is true generositie , and where it is ioyned with great possessions , and hath long continued in the house of a Gentleman , without corruption of bloud , that nobilitie is most to be honoured , forasmuch as long continuance hath giuen it the badge of glorie . Plato , diuideth Nobilitie ●oure waies , the first saith he , are those that rise from good and iust parents ; the second those whose parents were Princes , or great men ; the third famouzed for martiall exployts ; the Quadri faria nobilitas . fourth which excell in any kinde of learning , and for Vertues sake onely are seated in the place of honour ; these latter are verè nobiles , truly noble , made noble by Vera nobilitas . Vertue . Yet if one shall stand vpon his riches , parentage , office , place , dignitie , and by these onely suppose to win the place of true honour , he climeth a rotten ladder : for what is all this worlds pompe , or titulary preferments , if not atchieued by Vertue ? or what doth great birth auaile if hee debase it by his ill life ? or a vertuous memorie of his auncestors , if hee follow not their example ? are they not like smoake and vapours , which vanish with the Sunne ? can a man without offence brag of the Vertues of his auncients , if his owne life be vitious ? For hath he not broken off the succession of Vertue by wilfull detraction ? wherefore what worldly glory soeuer is otherwise had , is filched , and her chastitie at no hand will bee defiled with such bastardly plants . Prayses and commendations waite euer on Vertue . And therefore Tully in his Tuscul : questions , defineth honour to be a vnion of praises of good men , which iudge of Vertue without partialitie , and not by the opinion of the multitude , which looke more to a veluet Iacket , the outward brauerie , then to the minde how it is qualified : so that the noblenesse of man is his vertue , and they ought to be called noble & honorable , which are most honest and vertuous .

If I should enter into the wonderful account which the Heathen made of Vertue , I might shewe how Num● Pompilius , was taken from the plough , and chosen the second King of the Romanes , what was the cause think yee ? but his Vertue and wisedome , for which they thought him worthy of so high a calling ; this they reckened true nobilitie : likewise Quintius , a poore Husbandman , was made Dictator , which was a great office , and for three moneths had a Regall power , and when he had ended his office , went againe to his olde labour without indignitie to his person , or derogating ought from his worthinesse , of this high estimation was Vertue among them .

He that is nobly borne , and descended of an auntient house , should beare in his mind the remembrance of his birth , and frame himselfe to imitate his parents in Vertue , as well as hee looketh to possesse their inheritance , and ioyning these two in one , is truly noble : for if his auntients were more noble then he , whose dignitie he enioyeth , his praise is diminished , and becommeth a bye-word and a reproach , among them that haue heard of the former Vertue ; or if they were vicious and of euill life , then to auoyd the scandal in himselfe , to abhorre the like , and couet to liue in Vertue : so shall he purchase true honour to his riches , and worthily be deemed to enioy the inheritance . And there is great reason to induce him therevnto : for of such a one there is a generall expectation of some notable Vertue ; the eyes of all men are bent vpon him as on a Commet or blazing starre , prying narrowly into him how hee liueth , what he doth , to what science he bendeth his mind , and what good hee doth in the Common-wealth , for which he is borne , and as if his priuate actions should be openly done , no one word or deed of his can escape the common censure . It is the more behouefull , then to apply the mind to laudable actions , & to do good in the place where he is , for so much as he may appropriate to himselfe a good report for well doing , & by that means participate the heartie prayers , and many good wishes of the common people ; gaine their loue , and induce them with more facilitie , by his good example , to trace in the wholsome path that leadeth to the house of honour .

Likewise the vnknowne , the issue of a base stocke , obscurely brought vp , if he wil be aduanced to the type of honour , must addict himselfe to Vertue , which will be so much the more glorious at the last , by how much more obuious his estate was at first . And this I suppose , should be a spurre or goade to push them forward , because they shall not onely bee admired by the praises of the good , which are the badges and simballes of Vertue , but also acquire perpetuall fame and renowme , as the surname thereof . What should I say ? Vertue is a The commod●ie of Vertues is vnspeakeable . pearelesse and precious Iewell , so rare and excellent , that it can neither bee sufficiently commended , nor worthily esteemed : all humane things doo faint , faile , sinke downe , and decay , when that onely will abide for euer , an honour for youth , a crowne to age , a comfort in prosperitie , a succour in aduersitie , delightfull at home , not burthensome abroad , & a pleasant walking-mate to accompany a man wheresoeuer hee goeth . What a diuine glory is heere ? that striketh the beholder in admiration , dazeleth his sight , and forceth the very abiect to reuerence him in whom it dooth appeare , for shee is so beautifull a Lady , as shee maketh many gaze at her a farre off , that haue no power to come nigh her , but striketh into wonderment at her incomparable maiestie , are metamorphosed , as it were by Medusa .

And howsoeuer it is that many are so blockish and sencelesse , that they wander vp and downe like vagabounds and base peasants , and make no account of Vertue and honestie : yet are they forced , will they , nill they , to flye to her for succour in time of want , and hide their misdeeds vnder her golden wings . And verily , no pretence or vaine shewe can preuaile against her , but that she will haue the iust victory and triumph ouer those that haue despised her ; and when they are on the toppe of their hatefull enuye , they shall wish her company , and desire to imbrace her , though it bee but with dull affection , which the Poet well noteth , Ho●●b . 1. Virtutem incolumen odimus : sublatam ex occulis querimus inuidi . When Vertue doth offer her selfe , we denie her , but afterward seeke her greedily .

If thou therefore , whatsoeuer thou art , doest neglect to follow her in time , thou shalt bee taught by experience , when it is too late , what it is to cast off thy profered happinesse , a faithfull teacher , but a seuere and sharpe corrector : seeke her then while shee may bee founde , and bee as readie to entertaine her into seruice , as shee is willing to serue ; possesse thy selfe of her , and shee will Register thy ●ame in her golden Booke , of neuer dying honour .

Worldly honor is no true happinesse . It is not the riches of Cressus , the tryumphes of Caesar , the conquests of Alexander the great , or any worldly pompe , can make a man truly happie , or crowne him with true honour , but onely Vertue . For if wee value men by outwarde prosperitie , wee deceiue our iudgement , and swarue from equitie .

Touching wealth , it is like poyson in a golden ●uppe , and commonly where it aboundeth most , there Vertue is set by least , a laborinth wherein many are lost , not onely subiect to chance , and infract fortune , but also to misgouernment , pride , ambition , and many other vices ; for good manners oftentimes is corrupted by ouer-regarding riches , and moderate dispositions turned into greedie desires ; graunt it lifts vp a mans estate , to make his delight subiect to his will , indeed hee is somewhat the wealthier , but no whit the honester , vnlesse as gotten by Iustice , so vsed in Temperance , and distributed in charitie , and if the rich man bee also a good man , let him take heed least they bee a sting to his conscience , and drawe him to sinfull pleasures .

So that the verdict , must passe vpon honestie , and the qualitie of Vertue , more precious then the quantitie of mony ; for as a rich man couetous , gripple , and earthly minded , is not to bee respected , so a poore man simple honest , and well qualified , is to be regarded , sith the one is as a craggie flint stone , the other a pretious and princely Diamond , and this was the cause a Prince of Troy chose rather to marrie his daughter to a poore man honest , then a rich man vicious : For it is better ( quoth he ) to haue a man without money , then money without a man , for Vertue is great riches , when Vice is like a sheepe with a golden fleece ; and as the wise schoole maister Isocrates , counselled his Pupill Demon ▪ to make more account of a poore good man , than of a rich man not so honest .

H●ra ▪ ad iccium . Pauper enim non non est , cui rerum suppetit vsus . Hee is rich inough that is content with his state . We must not measure men , by those things as are subiect to the tottering wheele of Fortune , which as Meteors in the aire vanish assoone as they seeme : but for Vertue abideth to eternitie . that which is permanent , durable , constant , and firme , which is Vertue , onely Vertue , and nothing but Vertue ; and therefore least worldly regard should striue against reason , the immoderate care of this life , must be sprinkled with the water of prouident respect , in considering those inconueniences that rise out of the roote of aboundance : Mans felicitie , is not in riches , they are gotten with paine , and lost with griefe ; pleasures ende in sorrowe , vaine-glorie , vanisheth ; if we thinke it is in witte , that is perfect follie ; for a wise man , euer esteemeth an other wiser then himselfe ; Quoad Deum , touching God , and in this standeth the greatest poynt of wisedome , when a man doth neither exalt himselfe , aboue a stronger iudgement , nor insult ouer those that be weake , but readie to submit his opinion , to a better information : and hath such a slender care of his own● woorthinesse , that if he happe to possesse some worldly honour , doth blushingly receiue it , as a thing not deserued : so that we cannot find the perfect good we looke for , but onely and altogether , in the exercise of Vertue .

A foolish opinion . Yet now men hunt after Riches , as though there were no true honour without it , and that to be onely rich , were to be onely happie , and so set their felicitie on a slipperie foundation : but how false this opinion is , doth appeare alreadie . For be it that honour , be not giuen as our auncients did , onely to the vertuous and good , yet shall the vertuous man be praised , be he neuer so poore , euen of his most vtter enemie , as Metellus Macid●nicus , praised Scipi● , for his Vertues , and wept for his death , though he were his mortall foe , for no man be he neuer so enuious , can take that from him which Vertue hath merited : but must , and will , maugre his head , applaud and commend him for an honest man , euen behinde his backe , and be forced to admire those good parts that are in him , when an other man being rich , and nothing within , but all without , shall be clawde and flattered before his face , but cursed and bande behinde his backe , and this preheminence it hath , maugre the worldes malignitie , that where this Christian veritie doth shine , shee forceth the gazer to breake out into wonderment , and spread that glorious report which it iustly meriteth : yet there be some so sottish and madde , that though they know themselues but flattered , suppose they be by & by praised , when he neither speaketh it with his heart , but for some carnall reason , and they themselues know it to be false which hee speaketh . Beleeue no man therfore of your owne goodnesse , better then your selfe , if there bee ought in you worthie of it , if you deserue it not , thinke assuredly they doo but mock and deceiue you , and with their tongues seeme to be with you , when their hearts be against you . This is a sure token , for a man to see into his owne Vertue , first hee sueth not for honour , but honour followeth him ; and secondly is not greeued , though he be vnregarded , nor beareth indignation at others happines , and this same thing is it that we call honor : now seeing this worldly honor is of so small price , A true vertuou● ma. it is the part of a base and vile mind , to beleeue glozing and faire words , and grosse ignorance it is indeed , to build honour vpon the brainsicke and rude opinion .

Now what are all the goods of this worlde ? but a troublesome carriage & greeuance , because they bring no assured comfort , but doo rather with their waight , plucke downe those minds , that be flying towards heauen , and hinder a man in the passage to glory .

Neuerthelesse , this might somewhat dismay the weakenesse of man to striue for Vertue , because commonly it hath no reward in this world , but wandreth vp and downe naked , & forsaken : but this is no disparagement to a good man , for looke what he possesseth , be it more or lesse , is so moderatly expended , that it is competent and sufficient , and this is the very fountain , whence all contentment proceedeth , for being well composed within , regardeth nothing without , but a iust applause for well doing : only couetous , to carry away a good report of his Vertues , which as Trophies are hung ouer his Tombe , for eternall monuments . Virtuti●merces , ●adem & labor , illa & trophium est .

Touching such as are loaden with this worlds drosse , and moistened with golden showers , liuing in voluptuous and vaine pleasures , and defile those blessings with their lusts , what should we thinke of this ? but that the great and rich God , is content to throw and scatter about his goods , among a sort of pedegrant peasants , and insaciable horse-leaches , which greedily scrape it vp to fill their Cofers , and feed their lusts : not thinking one day they must recken of the well imployment .

Riches puffe vp men in pride . Riches , not rightly ordered , prouoke many hurtfull and wicked desires , the mother of pride , contempt , disdaine , selfe-loue , and the very fire that burneth vp all good motions , if not quenched with moderation , for they puffe vp a man in opinion to be some bodie , when he is no body , and to thinke himselfe truly honourable , because he is honoured of the vaine world : supposing that to be rich in costly sutes , is the onely glory . This makes them spurne at all good aduertisements , and despise Christian admonitions ; for how commeth it to passe , that so many great , rich , and mightie men of the world , are some Athists , Papists , Neuters , N●lla fidians ▪ Vaine hono●r . &c. and so colde in charitie ? but only this , impatiencie of good counsell , being hard to finde a faithfull man , that will boldly speake without partiallitie : but elther is blinded with greatnesse , or driuen to silence for outward respects , to keepe in fauour with smooth words , especially when his state dependes vppon great men , there is then a Filme growes ouer the eye-sight , and such a dimnesse , as he cannot see , no not the Sunne at noone dayes , be it neuer so cleare or splendidious , but be rather as cloudes to hide their shame , or instruments to incite them to more leaudnesse . For if such a one fall into a grosse errour , and by his life be a scandall to the good , liuing openly in some vile crime , he shall not want trencher-flies , clawbackes , and Sycophants , that wil crie peace , peace , when he is at warre with his owne conscience , and feede his humour with flattery , be his life neuer so sinfull ; such may be fitly called seruingmen , for they neuer serue God , but soothe them vp to serue their owne turne , they pretend much loue and great seruice , when t is nothing but superficial flattery , if these see but a small moate amisse , a wrinkle awry , how tentible they be to mend it ! but though the minde be neuer so spotted with vice , the eye cannot pierce it , be it ner so visible , and indeed if the humour of their maister , take it in ill part , they may chaunce for their intelligence to be turnde out of all preferment ; O how they wil storme if controwlde in their course ! and take The m●lici-A●h●st neuer want slaunders . it exceedingly ill , as though they had a dispensation to doo what they list without reproofe , because they are great . If Preachers crie out against vice in generall , then is it specially applied , he ment me , he spites me , and so goes about to stop their mouthes , by accusing them of ●●yling , sedition , or slaundring : or if priuately admonished , then are they busie , factious , and stray from their text : y●t for all this , a good man will not be abashed to whisper into their eares priuatly , or inueigh against vice publikely , come what will come . Solon compareth ( not vnfitly ) lawes to copwebs , for that great flies can breake through at ease , when the lesser are intangled : in like manner great men can soone rush through the walles of lawe , and breake downe Iron Gates ; when the weake must abide the extremitie , and haue no other defence but their owne innocencie . Thus doth might deceiue them : but A●risacra fames quid non ? what cannot gold bring to passe ? it can dim the clearest sight , and raise vp an humble minde to a haughtie courage : is it not strange that a base pedanticall parasite , in hope of a lease , or some small fauour , should clappe his hands at wickednesse ? and that a man indued with reason , and hath the vse of his fiue wittes , should beled by flattery , and made blinde with plausible wordes , not to see his owne faultes , though they be as thicke as the darknesse of Egipt , to be felt with the hande and not seene with the eye ? for be it he is so obdurate , that he cannot , or will not see them : yet must he needs be noted , pointed at , liue defamed , as a may-game to the worst , and a lamentable spectacle to the best .

A memorable example of a Heathen ●ing I remember I read once of Alexander , if happily I can now repeate it , who on a time vehemently blamed his Steward , for that hauing serued him so long , and bene so conuersant in his affaires , so familiar with his priuate doings , and laie as it were in his bosome , as if he had bene his second selfe , that in all the time of his seruice could not spie ought amisse , to dimme his glorie : For it is impossile ( quoth hee ) in so many yeares , and so much opportunitie , that I should neuer offend and blemish my vertue , with some dishonourable action : deseruing either prewarning in the beginning , or reproofe in the ende , and so expelled him his seruice .

Here is a mirrour of true honour , this noble Prince , cast off his Steward , because he concealde his faultes Obsequium amicos , veritas odium parit . amongst Christians , that should be inspired with higher wisedome ; the contrary is daily practised , the ●eruant shall be dismist for telling truth , and honest minds purchase shrewde rebukes ; this head-strong opinion is the downe-fall of all good order : for when men-pleasers , and claw-backes , doo leade captiuitie cap●iue in the fetters of vanitie , a multitude of honest mindes are in daunger to be seduced , to imitate their course of life . Sycophants are daungerous enemies to Vertue . For as the Marriners in a shippe , haue theyr eyes earnestly bent vpon the Maister , that sitteth at the helme , and readie at his becke to doo his will ; so such men as stand vp in the Common-wealth , and holde the Rudder of direction in theyr handes , are duly watcht , and attentiuely ouerseene , and according to their aime , the common sort bend their course .

O howe riches mocke men with certaintie , when nothing is more mutable and slippery , with perfect happine●●e , when nothing is more wretched , the nurs● of pride , the schoole of abuse , and the guide that leades into many temptations , it is much better rather to shine in Vertue , then in riches . And therefore our Sauiour Christ in the Gospell , comp●reth the felicitie of a rich man , to an impossibilitie : ●aying , that it is as hard for him to climbe to heau●n , being loaden with drosse , as for a Cammell to creepe through the eye of a Needl● : and this made the Philosophers in their humane wisedome , so much despise worldly honour , and vndergoe ●●amples of con●emn●rs o● money . pouertie with so great patience . A●nacreon ▪ hauing a huge masse of money sent him by Policrates , could neuer rest till he was rid of it againe , his minde troubled , his sleepe broken , returned it againe to him that sent it : saying he neuer liued in so great feare and dread all his life long , as hee had done those two dayes while the mony was in his house . Pho●●●n , in like manner , when the king had sent him a great beneuolence , hee asked him that brought it ▪ what mooued his maister to send him so much mony , seeing the king did not know him ▪ answered , it was in respect of the great fame he heard of his vertues : If that be the cause ( quoth he ) carry it backe to him againe , and let him leaue me as I am , and ●ot by increase of wealth to diminish my vertues . Diogines refused all , and craued nothing , but the common benef●● of the Sunne , which Alexander had taken from him , by standing betweene him and it .

Plutarch reporteth , that when Alexander vpon a time came into a poore barren Countrey , thinking to haue made some great conquest , found the inhabitants gathering rootes & grasse to ●ate , neither vsing force to repell and keep him backe , nor any meanes to disswade him from his warlike attempt , but as poore snakes , were altogether busied for their bell●es . The King considering their pouertie , and vnfruitfulnesse of their countrey , had pittie and compassion on their miserie , and bad them aske what they would , and it should incontinently be graunted . Quoth they ( with one consent ) giue vs euerlasting life . Why how can I giue that ( quoth he ) that am but a mortall man ? Then why seeke you to win the whole world , as though you were immortall , and should neuer dye ? Zenon , Crates , infinite were the examples of those that were rauished with the formossitie and excellent hue of Vertue , that they contemned money , riches ▪ pompe , choosing pouertie for the pure life of perfection , bearing the bitternesse of fortune with an vnconquerable courage . The auntient victorious Romaines ●ought after Vertue , and by their noble deedes and heroicall spirits , got the palme of true honour , not sparing body or goods to aduance the Common-wealth ; The shadow of vertue was more esteemed among the Heathen , then the true body is now among the Christians . in so much as many of them had not wherewith to endowe theyr daughters , nor which was lesse , to defraye Funerall charges , but what they had out of the common store , which by their conquests they had so greatly enriched , as S●ipio , Sylla , and the great Pomp●y : for then Vertue was their chiefest riches . An example we finde of a noble captaine , who beeing offered a great reward by his Generall for his knighthood and valour done in seruice , with this gratulation thou shalt bee paide in riches for thy valour , and not in honour for Vertue ; hee refused the one , and tooke the other , counting riches not worthy to bee matched wi●h the dignitie of V●rtue .

The Martyrs in all ages are much to bee admired , that being indued with true fortitude , did most willingly embrace their deathes , and suffer their bodies to bee rent , torne , and cruelly burned , by the persecutors , for the profession of a good conscience , and by theyr meeke sufferings , gained perpetuall honour .

And although it falleth out as for the most part it doth , that men indued with rare and singular vertues , are vtterly forgotten , and scarce noted while they liue ; yet beeing dead , theyr fame mounts vp to heauen , and is divulged and spread in the earth ; for the want of a good thing , is then most precious when it is remooued farthest off . Cato was scarce knowne while he liued , but after his death , was of great price ; and all those famous Philosophers , Orators , schoole-men , that liued in darknesse , and were so basely esteemed , yet wee see by the memorie of their goodly vertues , they now liue againe by being recommended from one age to an other . And herehence sprung the multiplicitie of Heathen goddes , I meane from the notable vertues of singular men : for the foolish antiquitie , honoured men as gods after their Cicerods nat ▪ d●or . deathes , which eyther were of high dignitie while they liued , of great birth , or had done some notable benefite for their Countrie : for honour and reuerence is rehibited for some certaine cause , rising of externall things , framed by Vertue , for honour is compounded of honestie . Honor ex virtute ●ritur . H●rmes , or Mercurius , was of such fame among the Aegiptians , as hee was deified and made a god , calling him the Messenger of Iupiter . Mars , a great warriour . Bacch●● , the inuenter of wine . Esculapius , a Phisition . Pyth● ▪ was so reuerently thought of amongst the Barbarians , for that by his singular wisedome hee had withdrawne the inhabitants from their vices , that they made of his Cottage a Temple , giuing him diuine honour . What contumelies and strife was about the bodie of Homer , when seuen Cities were at variance to possesse his corpes when he was dead .

Septem vrbes certant , de stirpe insignis Homeri : Aulus bell . Smyrna , Rhodes , Colophon , Salami● , Ios , Argos , Athenae .

Diogenes liued beggerly , in contempt , but after his death was honorably interred in a monument of fame : so that the memorie of these sprung from the roote of Vertue , and from some notable exployt , which got the peoples loue , who thought the applause of this worlde was no sufficient recompence for theyr vertues .

The flourishing state of the Romaines , Athenians , Lacedemonians , and other dominions , were all vpheld Vertues hold vp a common-wealth . by Vertue ; for where Vertue is established , there Vice is detested : for as light and darknesse , fire and water , cannot be put together but one will confound the others nature : so these two contraries , cannot ioyntly hold possession , but one will vtterly extinct the other ; and where Vertue is wanting in a generall gouernment , that Common-wealth is wholly ouerthrowne .

Oderunt peccare boni , virtutis amore , Hora. Oderunt peccare mali , formidine pane .

The good hate to sinne because of Vertue , the bad for lawe , but he is onely good , that of his owne wil , and honest mind , eschueth euil more for conscience sake , than for dread of mans punishment : the euill and vicious contrariwise , are with-held by the rigour of Iustice , and for feare of penaltie , the rebellion within is kept from outwardly working : so that nothing but the sword of the magistrate doth stay the hot rage of his furie , when the conscience lyes vast and open to all wicked desires , he is not to bee numbred amongst vertuous and good men . To conclude , where the Common-wealth is guided by godly lawes of Princes , the lampe of Vertue shining in the hearts of subiects , laudable sciences imbraced , Iustice without partialitie administred , the good protected , the bad punished , & peace maintained ; there is a happpie and blessed gouernment , a sweete harmonie of nature , and an earthly Paradize : for he that shall goe about to counite and couple Vice & Vertue in one , putteth a man and a beast together : honestie admits no such knot , for the end of good , which ought to be after one sort , must not be mingled with any thing disagreeable in an other sort ; for Vertue is no longer Vertue , if mixed with contrarie qualities : we may then safely conclude , that there is no goodlyer possession then Vertue , and that it is perfect folly , to couet to be rich , mightie , and creepe vp to worldly honour , and make so small reckening to be stored with Vertue , which is so certaine , the tytle so glorious and permanent , wherevpon one calleth it Dimidium animae meae , which is not vnproperly spoken , for take away vertue from a man , which is the plain path to sanctimony , he must be numbred among those creatures that haue onely essence , and want vnderstanding , sith hee aymeth not at the purpose of his creation .

The audacitie and stout courage of the Heathen was such , that for morrall vertues would ca●● themselues into daungers , many times deadly , abandon riches , endure pouertie , abide tortures , desiring rather a poore quiet life to follow Vertue , then by a prosperous state to draw the mind into a troublesome stirre : for pouertie , performes that indeed , that all Philosophy goeth about to perswade .

But this dooth much shake the feeble conscience when wee behold diuers good men endued with rare vertues , and stored with good parts , notwithstanding Vertue dis●●yed by pouertie . oppressed , discarred , and as it were made the scorne and May-game of the world , finding no place of safetie to rest vpon , and the bad and vicious to sit in Fortunes lap . Now when we mark these vnproportionable accidents , onely with the eye of common reason , ō how it distracteth the minde ! accusing through ignorance the iust and diuine prouidence , because he permitteth the good to be punished with miserie , and the bad to swim in prosperitie : but if we bend our wits to find out a deeper reason , we shal see that the good are not afflicted for their hurt , but fatherly chastised for their better triall , the wicked not fauored , but seuerely punished ▪ for God worketh al things for the good of those that are his : yet who can denie , but that the burthen of pouertie is importable , hunger , imprisonment , exile , intollerable persecution , and death insufferable ? all which is inough to driue a man to dispaire of his owne happinesse , supposing God had vtterly forsaken him : but the waight hereof is lightned & made easie to them that steadfastly beleeue Gods promises , and cast their care on him , as Peter willeth : Cast thy care on him , for hee hath care on thee . Moreouer , though a man be poore , sicke , diseased , An honest man is not poore , for in aduersitie Vertue sheweth her chiefest operation . and wayed downe with a clogge of miserie : yet can he not say , hee is so bare and naked , as vtterly vnable to help himselfe or an other : for admit he hath no tempo●all goods to helpe that way , yet can hee harbour and shewe the rights of hospitalitie : if hee hath neither of both , yet can hee visit the sicke , and cheare vp his mind with good counsell : if he be poore , sicke , lame , harborlesse , and comfor●lesse himselfe , yet can he helpe with his prayers , and communicate his loue by his orysons and deuout supplications : so that euery one hath a rich fountaine within , which vpon euery occasion may be powred out , and therefore no man can pleade disabilitie , and want of meanes to relieue .

And what though a man haue some casuall deformitie in his body , or bee vnhappily fallen into a wretched estate ▪ yet so long as his vertue and honestie may bee iustified , hee neede not bee ashamed of brusing the flesh , or feeling penurie , but rather boast and glorie in them , for it cannot bee any shame or dishonour , to carrie about him the visible tokens of such scarres , neither dooth it any whit impaire his credit with the wise and vertuous , nor make him of lesse esteeme with good men , much lesse with God , who putteth no difference between a king and a begger , but onely in obedience to his will : but here is the ignominie , to bee branded with the hotte iron of wicked The simbolls of vanitie . conuersation ; as when a man shall haue his eares cut from his head , or marked in the hand for some villainie , and the spots of vice so pregnant on his body , or going vnder a hard censure , for a bad opinion iustly conceiued , in this case hee hath small cause to glory or boast , but rather blush , be ashamed , and exile himselfe from common societie , and striue with humilitie to reforme those rebellious passions , that haue so strongly lead him into such dishonestie .

But where Vertue doth rule , the affaires and actions of this life are mannaged with wisedome , and those swelling thoughts kept backe , which as a raging floud carrie away all that is not ground ▪ fast , that any outward griefe is quietly suffered , and patiently endured : for what aduerse fortune soeuer happens , is borne with contentment ; in so much as neither pouertie , sicknesse , crosses , afflictions , or what calamitie soeuer come , cannot moue or distemper a stayed minde : for beeing inflamed with a constant resolution , doth fit himselfe to beare the troubles of this life , with a valiant and immutable courage .

Stilp● a Greeke Philosopher , when the citie where hee dwelt was burnt to sinders , his wife and children consumed in the flame , and all that hee had turned to ashes , himselfe hardly escaping with his life , was asked what he lost in the fire ( quoth he ) I lost nothing , for Omnia Omnia mea mecum perto . mea mecum porto , all that is mine I carrie about me ; meaning his vertues , the onely proper goods of a wise man , which no force of fire can consume , nor the furie of no enemy take away . In like maner an other being told his own son was dead , was no whit moued at the message ; and being told againe & again he was dead , why quoth he , what of that ? I knew I begat a mortall creature , and being mortall , he must needs die : who could beare such great cause of griefe without some shew of sorrow ? but such smal reckning did the wise Heathen make of worldly losses : for it is the nature of man to relent , deplore , and be subiect to lamentations , yet their wisedome kept it vnder the yoake of reason : or who in these daies would Riche● rightly vsed , are great blessing● . refuse such preferment as Di●genes ? o● his loade of gold , as Fabritius ? or cast his treasure into the sea , as Antippus ▪ I verily suppose fewe or none would bee of that minde , neither is it so needfully required , Christian sorrow for worldly losses is sufferable : riches and wealth to a good man are comfortable , by reason he hath greate● means to do good , for the daunger lyeth in the abuse , and not simply in the vse : for to a bad man they are indeede the cause of more euill , because they minister more matter to his wicked and sinfull desire .

A man may warme him by a fire , though hee burne not himselfe in it : so a rich man may mod●rately vse his riches , though with them hee stoppe not vp the gappe to happinesse : but the deadly hatred they bore to externall things , shewed theyr loue to Vertue , and the desire they had to diue into the depth of wisedome ; ô how they stroue about the contemplatiue and actiue life ! some choosing one , some the other , strugling who should come nearest vnder the wings of Vertue , and yet for all this they laboured but in darkenesse and blinde ignorance , and neuer attained to that true ioy , by which the heart is exalted to immortalitie : for the true and absolute Vertue is the true knowledge of GOD , the way to worship him aright , and true comfort in aduersitie , for nothing can bee good without the soueraigne good : if m●n bee ignorant of that , all is false , and theyr intentions goe awrie , but the Philosophicall summum bonum rested in this ; namely , in the quiet apprehending of reason , and fashioning the outward man to ciuill obedience , and could neuer possesse themselues of that heauenly felicitie , vnder which all Vertue is comprehended .

Pouertie ought not to disqui●t● the minde . Pouertie ought not to moue the minde with restlesse passions , but to allaie the heate with contentation , and pacific the vnstaied affections , which will more easily be done , if a man considerately call to mind , how many persons in the world are in as wretched , or more wofull estate then he himselfe is , yet the deare children of God too : but in aduersitie many lose themselues in discontentment , not patiently wayting , but greedily snatching , not content with that they haue be it neuer so much , but adding goods to goods , and multiplying more to enough with neuer satisfied desire , tormenting the minde with vnquiet motions , and by that meanes make the freedome of life a sharpe and bitter bondage : for if their life were six times so long , as it may be by the inuitable course of nature , yet the tenth part of that they haue , were sufficient to maintain them well and honestly , and declare whereto they were borne , and inrich their posteritie after ; why should they then be so greedy and earthly minded to consume their dayes in such vnreasonable cares ? whereby they are neuer at rest , but in continuall slauery , so greatly do they feare least they should be poore : and so in the midst of plentie liue in want , and thus become incaple of reason , and most miserable of all men : for no externall thing can in themselues make a man vnhappie , if immoderate desire creep not in to breed rebellion , so that still our former assertion must hold : In medio concis●●t virtus , Vertue stands betweene two extreames , in cooling the heate of desire with Temperance , not in feeding the belly so much as it will hold , cloathing the backe so farre as the purse will stretch , and giuing scope to pleasure , as though much wealth gaue much libertie , for that is prodigalitie , nor in pinching & hoording it vp from necessary duties , for that is illiberalitie , & ouerturneth the whole fellowship of mankind : neither must a man neglect his priuat state , but labour in his calling to supply his wants ; the meane therefore is the safest path to walke in , in which whosoeuer goeth , is safe from stumbling vpon extremities : If Y cor as had held his medium t●tiss●mum , he had not so vntimely In medi● concistit virt●s . fallen : or Phaeton , obserued the good counsell of his father , he had not bin striken with thunder ; but presumption & arrogance , casteth men healong into woe and misery . So that if Temperance do not order the life , and dispose our humane affaires , we fall into an insatiable desire of hauing , or into an vtter neglect of our own wants , spending too much & that vainly , or sparing too much , & that too nigardly : But as the higher we clime , the lesse appearance those things seeme to haue that are vnder vs , our sight being remoued from the obiect and species of things : so the nearer we approch to God , and frame our obedience vnto him , the lesse we value these base & transitory things . Now , if by this compendious course , our mindes are abstracted & drawen backward , immediatly our cogitations ascend vp to heauen , as vnto the country to which we are trauelling , we must not the incumber our mindes with so heauy a load , as the cares of this life , least they hinder vs in the pursuit to perfect blessednesse . O what a burden of torments doth the couetous desire bring with it ! a disease like the Dropsie , the more it hath , the more it would ; thirsty as the serpent Di●sas , neuer satisfied till it burst , wanting that it hath , and hath that it wanteth ; because the good vse of those things present , are euer absent ▪ ô whither would the greedine●●e of man run if Mydas golden Wish were to be had ? the couetous Lawier would haue the diuell and all ; the secular Priest , be sick of the golden dropsie ; the Artificer , Alcumize his Instruments into gold ; the plow ▪ man weary of his labour : so that here would be Aurea atas , a golden world . Thus would extreame couetousnes bring a misery vpon the owners , and though with Mydas , they might turne any thing into gold with a touch ; yet should they be starued with hunger , famish the bodie , and robbe the soule of all true comfort . For these waight alwaies on a couetous man , Impietie , periurie , thefts , rapines , treasons , fraud , deceits , and all kind of vnconscionable and mercilesse dealings .

Let a man then be content with his portion , and not seeke to aspire vnto terrestiall honour , by tearing out the bowelles of his brethren , with vsurie , extortion , and vnconscionable brokerie . For it is better to be contentedly poore , then miserably rich , and to surpasse in rare Vertues , then in earthly treasure ; for albeit a man be downe in misery , yet if honest and vertuous , hee is raised vp to immortall glory : for the excellency of Vertue , makes him shine with such a grace , as h● may soone be eleuated to the top of true honour , and cannot goe vnrewarded for his honourable seruice ; for hauing valiantly Post f●●●r● virt●● . fought vnder the banner of so noble a matron , his paie is fame in despite of death , and eternall felicitie in the world to come ▪ for Vertue inableth a man to enioy the fruition of perfect happinesse , and eternall life .

Then let a poore ma● reioyce in affliction , and patiently beare aduersitie ▪ and comforte him selfe with the hope of a better life , which assuredly hee shall The comfortable hope of a poore man . enioy if so be he hold out to the ende in a holy and vertuous course , and for sorrow here , haue ioy there ; and for a hellish life now , a heauenly life then ; when those that haue their heauen here , and wallow in solace , ioy , and carnall pleasures in this world , must with Diues be tormented in endlesse flames in the world to come .

To what end then should a man be grieued at misery , and murmur , as though hee were an abiect , an ou● cast , and forlorne : when there shall be a supply of his wants , in aboundant measure , and be crowned a king of that heauenly Ierusalem .

Vpon a time Solon found a poore man sitting by the sea side , bewayling his miserie in great dispaire , whom he comforted in this manner : Brother why weep you , what haue you lost , is it want and pennury that nippeth you ? Alas for that you haue small cause ; for say you were in the middest of yonder great sea , loaden with treasure , in daunger of drowning , would you not willingly lose your goods to saue your life ? Why thinke then you were once in like perill , and haue escaped , and lost but your onely goods , then now pacific your selfe , be content with your state . Thus we see what daunger a rich man is in , by the opinion of this wise Heathen .

Vice & Vertue two waies . Two waies are proposed and laide open to all , the one inuiting to Vertue , the other alluring to vice ; the first is combersome , intricate , vntraded , ouergrowne , and many obstacles to dism●y a passenger ; the other , plaine , euen beaten , ouershadowed with boughes , tapistred with flowers ▪ and many obiects to feed the eye ; now a man that lookes but only to the outward shewe , will easily tread the broadest p●the , but if he● perceiue that this smooth and euen way , leads to a neast of Scorpions : or a litter of Beares , he will rather take the other though it be rugged and vnpleasant , then hazard himselfe in so great a daunger .

The high-way that leades to pleasure is verie spatious , it lyeth open like the sea , many tempting motions to inuoke the mind , Lamea sitting by the way gorgiously deckt , the Syrens with sweete melody , to intrappe the passenger , if with Vlisses he bind not himselfe to the mast of prouident respect ; and many Lyons , Beares & Wolues lie in waite for their pray . But the pathe leading to Vertue , though it be toylesome , laborious , difficult , a way vneasie to be trackt , hard to finde , craggie , stonie , thorny , and a sweating turmoyle , as the Poet describeth :

Nam via virtutis , dextrum petit ardua callem , Dificilem que additum , primum spectantibus offert , Sed requiem praebet fessis in vertice summo . For Vertues rugged pathe requires , a stout and painfull minde : And daungers new are multiplied , to such as will her finde . But in the ende great ioy she brings , &c.

Yet seeing hee goeth streight to his iournies ende , shall arriue at the house of Fame , be crowned with honor , who will not vndergoe a poore labour , to gaine so rich a Iewell ? for though the rootes of Vertue be bitter , yet the fruites be sweete .

Dulcia non mer●it . Againe , if in things dangerous and full of perilles , a man will not sticke to hazard his life , ●run through fire and water , abide hunger , colde , and willingly beare a thousaud miseries , incident to long and tedious iournies , to diue into the bowelles of the earth for golde , traffique to Orinoque , the Indians , and farre remote places to feede the long desire of this short life , as the Poet saith : Impiger extremos currit marcator ad Indos , Per mare pauperiem sugiens , per saxa , per igneis :

How ought they them to hunt after Vertue , the bright sonne of prosperitie , which can raise them vp , tamquam ê puluere & lut● , out of dust and claie , to the high pitch of euerlasting honour .

Many waies leading to l●ame . But as many waies crosse the Queenes high ▪ way , so Vertue is wanted and thwarted , with many smoothe paths , if by exact care they be not auoyded , and though there be a spatious opposition an Antithesis , yet no such difference at the first seemeth , for long pacing breedeth content , by reason the mine is nummed and brought a sleepe , with such varietie of obiects , as dazle the sences , and fixe the opinion so firme in an ill course , that he findeth himselfe enexorable to turne head , and set footing in the way of Vertue .

Neuerthelesse , though Vertue is so noble , glorious , honourable , immortall , &c. ( that neither my dull wit , rudenesse of speech , or this little volume is able to expresse her infinit praises : but had rather need of prompt eloquence , and cunning most excellent , and much leisure therevnto ) yet Vice is painted out with such goodly colours , and so gorgiously set out with pompe , that iumping with the naturall impediment , a man is soone lulde a sleepe in pleasures , and deluded by phantasma , a dreame , a shadow : as it was with Calippus , that dreamd he was a King , and whēawooke he was a begger : or the foole of Syrac●sa , who being opprest with melancholy , thought all the ships that arriued in the hauen , were laden with his marchandiz e ; so doth it mocke the imagination , with flattering allurements , and drawe a man by litle & litle to his owne destruction . O t is an amiable diuel , a sweet sinne , a lycorous poyson , a smiling cut-throate , a weeping Crokidile : so that by this the minde is drawne from all celestiall contemplation , and from that heauenly regard which the singularitie of that diuine sweetnesse doth require , and by that meanes become carelesse & negligent , in the pursuit of Vertue , and haue no desire to be partaker of her vtilitie and profite , but are wholy circumuented and carried away by Iniustice , luxurie , pride , couetousnesse , selfe ▪ loue , and such like ; for this fleeting ioy , is a sweet delight ; but as the Poets faine , that drinking the water Lethae , breedeth forgetfulnesse : so vice and pleasure , makes the mind obtuse and carelesse of all holy vertues , wherby the whole man is transported into all licentiousnesse . And for this cause are pleasures ●ompared to the Syrins , that appeare louely in sight with golden locks , chirry lippes , rosie cheeks , &c. and all that part aboue the water goodly , beautifull , and pleasant to beholde : but the tayle hid belowe is sharpe , crooked , venomous , that she no sooner draweth a man vnto her by a wanton countenance , but presently stings him to death ; for paine & pleasure are two twins , for he no sooner letteth his minde slip to one , but the other is readie to cast him into miserable estate . And therefore to shun pleasures , it is good to behold her behind and not before , to consider what trouble , torments , dishonour , and ignominie , waits vpon her , for after her ghests are surfeited with dainties , she makes the ende as fatall and ominous as the Centaurs feasts , a suttle Sy●on , that telles a pleasing tale to breede securitie , dropping hony from her lippes , but hath the poyson of Aspes vnder her tongue , a standing ponde , cleare aboue : but all filth and mudde below : and therfore the wise schoolemaister , warneth his scholler to shunne pleasures , for I●o . ad De●on . feare of smart ; sowre things follow sweete , and ioy heauinesse . Volupt as esca malorum , saith he , Pleasure is the bait of euil : and hor. ad lollium .

Sperne volupt at is no●et empta dolore volupt as .

F●olish wisedome . Yet many repute themselues wise and excellently seen , though they are nothing daunted at such a hidious monster : and so are wise only in opinion , and with this sottish cogitation enterprise matters infamous , yea oftentimes to the vtter ruine & ouerthrow of themselues , and by this meanes run headlong into all manner vice , not suspecting the monster-like danger ouer their heads .

He that followes pleasure , is as the spider that laboureth all day to intangle a flie , or like a wa●●on boy that blowes vp feathers into the aire , and spends the time in running vp and downe after them ; for what is pleasure but a puffe ? and what is all painfull and ponderous labours but a copweb ? If we shoote not at this marke , to cast anchor in the harbor of Vertue , for if we couet to be honoured , otherwise then by Vertue , we climbe a rotten ladder sure to fall ; for vaine-glory is a blaze which soone vanisheth , glistering for a while in some outward pompe , in the darknesse of this world , carrying with it some shewe of Gentri● , when t is but the scumme of Vice , Pride , and swelling Ambition : for what gaine is it for a man to win the whole world , and loose his owne soule ? to daunce in pleasure for a while , and liue in woe for euer ? What great matter was in Darius and Alexander , Tamberlaine and Baiazeth , Caesar and Pompey , that stroue for the monarchiall gouernment , and to be sole Potentates of the world ? but that the after times might sing with Melib.

Haec memini & victum , frustra contendere Thyrsin . Eclog ● . Ex illo Coridon , Coridon est tempore nobis .

What was their happines , but vnquiet & perturbations ? and neuer attained to that theyr ambition sought after , but snatching at vncertaintie , like Esops dog , lost that they were sure of before : so that all this worldly strife was but to satisfie the hungry desire of a fewe dayes , to purchase such honour as sinkes into obliuion , leauing no happie memorie behinde of any notable vertue .

The best warre ▪ fare . But the onely warre-fare is striuing for Vertue , by resisting the passions of the minde : this is both a valiant and an honourable expedition , a true Martialist he is indeed , that by strong hand labours to suppresse his rebellious lusts , and is ambitious of nothing but onely Vertue , as Themistocles , that said , the monuments , Trophies , glory , and great fame of Miltiades , would not suffer him to take his rest , for that exceeding desire he had to imitate him in Vertue , that so he might rise vp to like honour . Former presidents are spurres to quicken the Pl●tarch . mind , to embrace that Vertue portraied out by our auntients , and a meanes to make vs vigilent and watchfull , least by sloath we become blinde , ignorant , and grope in the darke with Polephemus : and this is most euident , that so long as we liue in pleasure , the minde is neuer illuminated with diuine moysture : for while the time is spent in voluptuousnesse , a blast of vanitie , a bubble of water , the excellent faculties of the soule are depressed and weyed downe with base & seruile designements .

But hauing thus rudely run ouer the profitable studie of Vertue , in this homely manner , as the dulnesse of my wit , and shortnesse of time would suffer , it now remaineth to blaze out her enemie Vice , & more liuely to paint out those capitall euils which oppose themselues A diometrical opposition betwixt Vice and Vertue . against honestie . And in this the method of the auntient Philosophers is to be obserued , who were not content to explain the morall vertues , with a bare and simple demonstration , but also set to euery one her contrary and repugnantvice , that by due considering both , we might embrace the good and shun the euill ; and that by the glory of one , the other might be more vgly and loathsome : for when Vertue is visibly painted out , inuironed with Vice , we haue her in greater admiration , and her excellencies in higher regard , & therfore Fortitude hath audacitie on the one side , & timiditie on the other side , science , ignorance , & sinister perswasion , and so euery one , the more & the lesse , whereby we see not onely the Image and reflexion , but the very abstract and essence of them both , & although one would think that Temperance , a heauenly Vertue , were inough to moue to sobrietie , yet if the many enormities that come of the contrary be omitted , a man is hardly disswaded . Therfore Diogenes being demaunded how one should keepe himself sober , by beholding ( quoth he ) the beastlinesse of drunkards ; for it is manifest , that when a crabbed visage and a misshapen body , shall stand by an amiable & louely personage , the deformitie of the one doth much illustrate and beautifie the other . Venus was euer fairest when she stood by Vulcan : so that viewing this Antithisis , honour and shame , perfect blisse & neuer dying sorrow , & looking to the finall endes , & the reward that they both yeeld at last , we may be stirred vp with an ardent zeale , to destroy Vice , & maister that combersome seruant passion .

Now the chiefe motiue herevnto , is diligent education & training vp youth in discipline , wherby a vniuersall Good education is the happinesse of a kingdome . good is attained ; for this is the maine pillar that holdeth vp & vnderprops the gouernment , without which no Common-wealth could stand & peaceably continue . And therfore it is in the power of parents , to make or marre the world , for if children be not well nurtured , how shall they bequeath that to posteritie which they neuer der●ued from their auncestors ? or if superiours and magistrates , giue not good example in their places , how should they induce other to pietie ? for as Atlas is faigned to support the heauens with his shoulders , so must the world be held vp by discipline , & those vices cut off with the sword of reformation , that fight against honestie ; for her valour and courage will soone weaken by impunitie and euill example ; but as the cutting off the head of a serpent killeth the body , so the immoderate passions of the mind rooted out in the beginning , the whole body of this hidious monster voluptuousnes is destroied , and the tranquility of the mind possest with greater ioy ; for being once taught to loath Vice , & traded in wel doing , from the cradle , is thereby so well qualified , as it doth not easily chaunge any good course it vndertakes , but vpon well grounded reasons . For hauing some knowledge of it owne inward good , findeth nothing without of so equall rate , for which it should alter and turne , but being firmly setled in an honest course , keepeth a sweete concord betweene the intellectiue and the morrall , and yeeldeth it selfe sutable , to the vertuous disposition of the minde , the excellencies whereof , is manifested with such rare demonstrations , that it neuer subiecteth it selfe to base inconstancie and feeble hazards , expelling Vice , as an enemie to all good endeuour .

To proceed , Vertue cannot bee gotten without Hypo●rkes and dece●uer● creepe vnder Ver●ue . imployment of the minde and body in commendable arts . Securitie and ease draweth to Vice , if a man then will build vpon a perfect assurance , and make his estate durable , hee must bend his whole endeuours to honest labour , & not onely do well , but continue therein to the end . But if a man suppose to be richly vertuous for one good deed ; as in paying duties , impositions , tallages to the poore Church , or Common-wealth ; if taxed according to his abilitie , and forcibly exacted from him , it is but the superficies and blaze of Vertue : for Intentio animi non actus perfecit actum : the willingnes doth approue the act : or if a man do a good deed by accident and haphazard , to blinde the opinion , and by a counterfeit shewe seeke to insinuate into a good report , when otherwise the whole scope of his life be vitious and euill , what lawde can hee iustly merite ? but where intirely the minde is bent therevnto , and inflamed with her pulchritude , so that he persist and holde out therein . As for example , as he is not to be termed a Taylor , that onely mendeth his garment , or he a shoomaker that onely patcheth his shooe , vnlesse he make it his whole art , and expose himselfe therevnto , as to his trade and occupation : so in like manner , he that stumbleth vpon one good action by chaunce , is not by and by to be deemed a perfect man ; but he onely that doth well , and persisteth in so doing , and as his trade , bee wholly occupied therein . For as the minde of the husbandman is euer vpon cattell , tillage , and such things as belong to his calling , Saylors vpon their ships , & souldiers on the warres , and schollers on learning , so must the whole disposition and carriage be occupied in Vertue , as on the day-starre that guideth to the hauen of rest .

It is not therefore one or two good deeds , or such things as are done by chaunce-medley , or peraduenture without a setled minde , that Vertue honoreth , for euery man goeth so far in common honestie : but when the integritie of the heart is stirred vp by deuotion to streame out a continuall store of good workes , with a mind willingly disposed therevnto .

Neuerthelesse , if our eye ▪ sight and vnderstanding could pierce inward , or that we had the eyes of Linx , to penetrate the secrets of the minde , we might see many rauening wolues , couered with a sheepes skinne , and the nature of a cruell and sauage Tyger lurking in some , that outwardly carrie a semblance of Vertue , a ciuil course , & an hypocrite clad with the mantle of honestie : for shee carrieth a generall good liking of all men , and ( as Plato saith ) if she could be visibly painted out to the eye , euery one would bee wonderfully rauished with her perfections , and therefore the euill seeke to hide their vices vnder her shadow , and drawe the curtaine of pollicie in the portraiture of pietie : for stand he neuer so obstinate in a desperate state , and bee really possest with wickednesse , yet in no case will hee willingly seeme to be that in shewe which hee Hypocrisie is double impie●ie . is indeed , but labour to hide it what he may , and couer the shame of euill with a simple shadow , if it be but with figge-leaues , and deaurate and guild ouer his spottes and sores with the tincture , and dye of holynesse . For the puritie of Vertue makes men detest their owne euill , and though Vice breake out , and be neuer so pregnant , yet will they cunningly blinde the opinion , and flye to her for succour : and albeit theyr eyes bee dazeled with the splendour of Vertue , and cannot choose but admire her beautie , yet haue they no power to follow her , but pine away , and giue her no Hor. entertainment , which the Poet well noteth , Virtus laudatur & alget .

Vertue ( saith hee ) is praised of many , but she may s●arue for colde before they will take her in , and warme herby their fire .

These are right counterfeites , that haue nothing but a clowde or skinne of Vertue , which as a slender painting is washt off with cu●ry dash , a glose , an Image , that they keepe so long as they haue pleasure or profit thereby : they may well be compared to vaine-glorious women , who because they want beautie , colour their faces with painting , to get that by art , that nature hath denied them .

Yea there be some that seeme the very Images of sanctitie , lowely , courteous , modest , humble , their eyes fixed on their graues , their haire shorter then their eye-browes , as though they were myrrours of religion Dec●it●ul do●●ble dealers . and pietie , and by robbing Vertue of her best apparell , decke themselues with the habite of honestie , and yet haue nothing within but artificiall knauerie , fraud , deceit , and hypocricie : for if outwardly stretcht to shewe theyr inward good , they then appeare as they are , and lay themselues open to theyr owne shame : the touch-stone of triall can soone distinguish them aright ; ô how such smoothe fronted hypocrites can dally with the time , and cut out their manners to the best fashions , onely to please those who measure others good by their owne integritie , and as long as the Sun shines , goe by the shadowe of others , but their light failing , soone leaue their earnest following , and is so hotly bent in his colde zeale , that he is neuer without a boult in his mouth to shoote through his simple neighbour .

But because I will not be too Cinicall , to anatomize particular imperfections , I will bee sparing : I could neuerthelesse paint out some , that as long as gaine hung on their profession , were not slacke to ouertake There be too many such cold Christians the best men : but the world slyding , their meanes failing , and the gaine they reaped by such their profession decaying , theyr hotte loue to pietie melts away like snowe before the Sunne , and as dogs , turne back to their owne vomit . So that heere is the depth of policie , in sifting the carryage to the humour of good men , that tracing the path of counterfeit holynesse , might gaine both fauour and aduancement . For as I said before , if Vice should come in her own shape , fewe or none would giue her entertainment , and though in wardly imbraced of some , yet outwardly detested of all .

These are like blades that haue painted sheathes , but canker-fret and rustie within . And as the Cameleon hath all colours saue white , so haue they all parts saue honestie .

The fish Polipus ( as some write ) hath this propertie , that it can turne itselfe into the likenesse of a stone , or seeme to be that which is next it , and so vnder colour of not seeming as it is , doeth rauen vppon other fishes . So in like manner do colde Christians prey vppon the simplicitie of honest mindes , and fit themselues to all companies . If among good and vertuous men , then is he like them , setting himselfe in his best properties , and seeme to haue that which euery honest man ought to haue , and so by that means hide great vices vnder a thin colour of Vertue , that by so fitting his habit to the time and place , is for the humour of euery person , and thus by craftie and disguised dissimulation , liue in outward happinesse , by praying vpon the good opinion of other men .

But as Socrates said to an humble hypocrite , his pride might be seene through the rents of his cloake : so this false and double dealing cannot so long be hid , but it wil breake out at one rent or other , and detect his pilferie , according to the chaunge of times .

And albeit ●he puritie of truth is not hereby any whit impeached , being euer one and the same : yet by this we may see the nakednes of old Adam , that wil at no hand appeare as he is .

But this idle shewe and false appearance , ô how dangerous it is to the truth ! being possessed with nought but treacherie and cosonage , a capitall plague , it is for the wicked to make shewe of goodnesse , and may fitly be sorted to the Apothicaries painted boxes , that haue nothing within but poyson , or some deadly compound : for which the Pharises were sharpely reprehended by our Sauiour in the Gospell , and as the Lorde complaineth by the Prophet , They honour me with their lippes : but their hearts are farre from me . And therefore he is no Vertue is not in vain words : but in conscionable workes . good man that can reason of Vertue in words , but hee that hath a true possession in deed , whereby the conscience is lead to deale iustly , in a continued course of well doing : for it is no paine to giue milkie words , sweete tearmes , and make a vaine florish of honestie , to choake the hard opinion , which otherwise might iustly be imputed : for this is but vaine-glory , which is euer gaping with open mouth for popular applause , for doing some thing that hath a shew of Vertue , to get praise of the rude multitude .

And though by prosperitie a man be dignified with glorious titles , yet if it spring not from Vertues roote , it is but a bastard plant , a rotten carkasse with a painted skin . And howsoeuer they mocke the world for a while with the badge of honestie , yet the all-seeing eye of heauen , God searche●h into the heart . to whom darknesse is light , perspicuously obserueth all their deeds , and will bring them forth euen as they are naked and vncouered : But as such fallacies , and dillusions , are incident to a base and seruile condition : so are they euermore abhorred of an honest man .

Lying is become ●n occupation ●mongst many men . Neuerthelesse many there be that binde themselues apprentise to vniust collusion and fraudulent dealing : in so much that lying and falshood is become an occupation , faire and smoothe words carry away all their gaines , increased by oppression , and by deluding the simple , make bad wares vendible , and that which is corrupt , vnholsome & naught , ( with many protestations ) vtter for good and excellent , and that at vnreasonable rate too . It is lawfull for euery man to maintaine his charge , and by his calling in which he is set , which to omit is worser then an Infidell : but with this caution , euermore profit , must go with honestie , and not immeasurably carried with greedy affection , to multiply gain by vniust means ; that that is cōscionablygottē is profitable ; and nothing profitable , that is dishonest : but to pull away either by vsurie , extortion , briberie , or fraudelent dealing , is repugnant to honestie : or to encrease a commoditie by an other mans discommoditie , ryueth asunder the common fellowship of mankinde . Tully handling Lib. 3. this argument in his offices to his sonne Marke , saith ; If two runne in a race , each one ought to striue so much as he can to win the prize : but in no case he must not trip his fellow , keep him back with his hand , or cast blocks to stumble on , for that is not equal : so in like sort ( saith he ) while we run a race in this world , it is good to get that may serue the turn , in an equall & iust course : but it is neither right , nor honest , to racke , extort , and purloyne from other , and by setting the conscience on the tainter-hookes , to rise vp by his fall .

It was ordained by the Athenian Lawe , that the seller , should laie open the faultes of the ware to the buyer , and seeing he selleth , to sell with the best aduantage Lib. 3. offic. to him that buyeth , with this or the like promulgation .

Aduexi , exposui , vendo meum non plur is quam ●●terie fortasse etiam minoris , cum maior est copia , c●ifit iniuria ?

Here is my ware , I offer it to sell , I sell mine for no more then other men , perhappes also for lesse , seeing I haue more store , to whom is the wrong done ? but hee that should obserue this in our dayes , would either be thought a mad man or a foole ; so farre is this griping couetousnesse rooted in the harts of many , that they make no conscience to get gaine ; Fas , aut nephas , by hooke or crook so they may come by it ▪ in so much that this greedie desire hath eaten vp all remorse of conscience , that labor all day with deceit , and rise vp early to wealth , by the spoyle & vndoing of other . O how pleasant & sweet is the sauour of gaine to the carnall man , be it neuer so iniuriously gotten ! Vespasian the Emperour , delighted so in powling and pilling his subiects , that nothing was exempted from his tallage : not so much as the very vrin made in euery house , but he had tribute for a certaine quantitie , for which being maligned and ill spoken of , his sonne disswaded him from it , as a thing base & dishonourable : but putting some of the pissing mony in a Vnlawfull gaine is sweet to a stinking minde . perfumed napkin , held it to his sonnes nose , asking him how it smelt ; meaning thereby , that though it was had of a filthy excrement , yet the money sauoured well enough ; Suauis odor lucriex qualibet , and that gaine is sweete of whatsoeuer it commeth .

All lying , in making bargaines is vtterly forbidden , false waits & measures abhominable , and wealth gotten this way clogs the soule : for it is neuer profitable to do euil , because it is euermore hatefull : and because it is alwayes honest to deale iustly , t is euermore profitable . No man by the ignorance of an other , ought to increase his owne gaine : and no greater iniurie can be vsed amongst godly Christians , then falsely to mocke the vnderstanding . Nothing couetously , vniustly , wrongfully , or waueringly , is fit to be done .

He that is therfore set vp in a trade , and hath to deale with men in bargaining , must be warie least he be carried into vnconscionable getting , and be content with a reasonable gaine without exaction , for the ignorance of the buyer , cannot excuse the deceit of the seller .

Neuerthelesse , many shop-keepers , keep small conscience in vttering their ware , their shops , shops of deceit , for now almost all men crye out , that there is nothing but cosonage in buying and selling , and not without cause : for let a simple man come to buye a peece of cloath , or what other thing he needeth in some of their shops ( I will not say all , for no doubt some deale honestly ) if hee be ignorant and vnskilfull in that hee buyeth , is sure to pay double the value , or at leastwise much more then it is worth : and yet wil they sweare and protest , Many ●●ue vpon the simplicitie of the poore . and heape vp a many oathes , that were it not to him he could not haue it so , and that it is farre better then the mony he paieth ; the buyer thus deceiued , yet thinks himselfe greatly friended : but if he bookes that he sells , and that the buyer comes vpon trust , then shall he pay well for Inke and paper , that in the ende he must buye his commoditie twise . Yea , craft is crept into the bosome of some , with such Foxe-like subtiltie , that they laie open their ware as nettes , to catch young Gentlemen , who hauing good friends and assured possibilitie , shall haue what he will vpon trust : prouided his lands be bound for paiment ; and so long feede his humour with coyne and commodities , that they creep at last into his whole possessions .

A man must not onely vse a lawfull trade , but also vse it lawfully , without deceit ; and though it be neuer so base , yet if followed with diligence , will maintaine his estate honestly , so be it that he alwaies keepe within the essenciall properties thereof : yet there be some that haue such wandring wittes and shittle heads , that neuer rest til they haue assaied all meanes , leaue the limits of their calling , and runne into by courses , and either fall into a loytering life , or attempt that wherein they haue no skill , whereby their follies many times are made manifest to the world ; for none can iudge of an Art , but he that is an Artizan , hereby hindring his neighbour , who hath fitted himselfe to it by experience , deluding the common-wealth , and offending the lawe . Appelles rule is quite forgot ; Ne sutor , vltra crepidam . The shomaker The p●inter spake this so long since , that it is now forgotten . must not goe beyond his latchet , the plowman meddle in matters of Art , nor schollers teach Coridon to holde the plough , but euery man to keepe within the compasse of his owne skill , and not like wilde coultes to breake into other mens ●astures : But many busie fellowes that haue short armes , yet will claspe many things , supposing that to enterprise is sufficient to execute , and that to beginne is onely inough , though they neuer make an end , and thrust into many trades , and heape one thing vpon an other , in so much that it often falleth out , that being Solicitus circa multa , busied in many things , proue vnfit for any thing : let the vnum One thing is necessar●e . then be preferred that tyeth a man in compasse of good abilitie . For as a swift currant running in one kill , is very forcible , but if deuided into small angles is lesse powerfull : so in like case so long as a man holdeth out in that hee was brought vp in , it is effectuall , but if hee once straggle and scatter into other Arts , doth vtterly weaken and disable hims●lfe , and is vnfit for any notable enterprise , and by leauing his peculiar trade , is possest with such a greedie discontent , as hee repineth at the prosperitie of his neighbour , which is the fruite of enuy .

Others there be so luskish and idle , that though they haue both meanes , strength and abilitie , yet will follow none at all , but be better content with hunger and ease , then labour and profite , or else by vnlawfull shifts come to a shamefull ende : but as the gripplenesse of the one is to be auoyded , so the securitie of the other is to be hated . It is meete that euery man follow his owne vocation , and being ordained for one thing , not to fall into an other : If fit for one , to holde that , and So said old ●●ther Latimer . seeke no other : if apt for pollici● , to leaue the Ministrie : if fit for the plough , to leaue the Pulpit , and vse that for which hee is most pregnant : for one of these require a whole man , and not the least part of a man .

Three things vphold a Mo●●●chie in peace & tranquillitie , Scil: tu supplex , ora , tu protege , tuque labora , Pray thou , defend thou , and labor thou : these 3. imploy the Three things intended in policie . happinesse of euery state ; the first the Ecclesiasticall discipline : the second , the politique state : and the third , the state subiugate : so that by these , & in these , a peaceable gouernment is maintained : and these are the imployments of the particulars members of a politique bodie , within the limits of which , euery one must keepe and containe himselfe .

But if any man fall into extrauagant courses , hee slippeth into those euils that flowe from the complexion of nature . Wee see howe many are rapt vp with greedie desire of getting , and neuer satisfied with that they haue , or can come too , eyther by violent extortion , brabling suites , and vniust vexations , that they had rather spend ten pound in lawe to feed the malice of the mind abroad , then by loosing ten pence , to haue it quietly ended at home .

I and now a dayes some are so madde & brain-sicke , that they fall together by the eares for the value of a strawe , and make hard shift though they be neuer so poore , but they will be Termers , and trot to Westminster three or foure times a yeare , though their wiues and children begge in the meane while : and what get they in the end after their long suites , saue a flap with a Foxe-taile ( as the saying is ) and come home by Need ▪ ham crosse , and fooles acre , then crye they out , might ouercomes right , would I had knowne thus much before , a vengeance take the lawiers , I am vndone : they weepe , the lawiers laugh , and the diuels sings . The common-wealth If it were not for some honourable well quallified , and conscionable Lawier● , the generation of Fogge , would eate out the bowelles of the common-wealth . is as a den of controuersies , a man cannot brooke a pettie wrong , but by & by he runs to some make-bate some petty fogger , who no doubt is forward enough to put fier to towe , and the bellowes to blow the coales of contentions : filling the head with quirkes & quiddits , who being hote before , is now of a light fier , till he be in law , the world shall not disswade him . Lawiers swarme as thick in England , as frogs in Egipt ; they norish strifes , beate downe charitie , and purchase to themselues great inheritance by the discords of brabling clyents .

Againe , some for a priuate gaine , will murmur at a common good , and rather wish a dearth to benefite some fewe , then a plentie , that may bring profit all : if they haue store of corne , they had rather keepe it still in their barnes , till it be mustie and naught , or suffer vermine to spoile it , in hope of an excessiue price , then by bringing it out in due time , to haue a reasonable gaine ▪ and this is a true experiment , that such moathes are so auaricious and couetous , that they had rather keepe their graine till it be corrupt and foistie at home , or send it to our enemies abroad , to starue and weaken our owne state , then to relieue their bretheren with the crop of their encrease . Certainly though they would seeme Christians , and men of good spirits , yet are they not equall , no nor any whit comparable to the Heathen , sith they thought nothing too deare for their countrey , neither life , goods , nor any thing else , and these thinke all too much , be it neuer so little . And to what end serueth this greedie desire of gaine , but to make logger-head the sonne , march before the cormorant his father in some worldly pompe , and to couer his fine daughter Si● , with Copweb-lawne to catch butterflyes : this is not the high-way to honour .

We see that plaine Corydon , that hath no more wit Euery misers son must be a gentleman . then to knowe the price of Sattin and Veluet , and toies to make him soole-fine , cannot be content to hold the plough , and be one of those Aratores optimos ciues Reip : good common-wealths men , keepe hospitalitie , and spend his reuenewes moderately , and doo good in the place where he dwells : but being crept vp to wealth by the death of his miserable olde father , must instantly be dubd a gentleman of the first head , and purchase armes , though it be at a deare rate , and bee a smoakie gallant in youth , though he beg his bread in age , and lash out that riotously , that his father got miserly ; and as one well saith , tedding that with a forke in one yeare , that was not gathered together with a rake in twentie . And this iumpeth with that which is affirmed before , that the goods of a wretched miser holdeth not long together , but as it hath bene badly gotten , so t is as leaudly spent . He is now of no esteeme vnlesse hee be cut of the fashion , and can swagger and braue it out , sweare himselfe into smoake with pure refined oathes , and fustion protestations , take Tabacco with a whiffe , and be odly humorous . And in no case it must not be forgotten he is a Gentleman , and therefore to shun the stab , you must prouide a sacke-full of worshipfull titles to coole his bloud , when ( God wot ) his grandfather would haue bene glad of a crust of browne bread : but what should he be toucht with base birth or bad life ? is he not now a Gentleman , and hath wherewithall to hold it vp ? but such generositie is like a copper Ring new guilt ouer , that waxeth off with the least persecution .

Fortunafa●et fat●os . Now these cannot truly say that the honour of their house did first rise in them , or that true gentilitie is deriued out of their loines to succession , because they are neither possest with any notable Vertue , nor created noble by accident , but haue onely a little pelfe , which with swallow-wings , is flying away as fast as their riotous course can lay it on .

Yet will their insolence arrogate to themselues honour , as though it stood onely in riches and worldly glory , and many vaine titles will they plucke by violence Honoured ig●●ranc● . from the rude world : for simple ignorance giueth humble reuerence to wealth and a gay coate : but though by the curtesie of wise men , and simplicitie of fooles , they haue many faire titles , yet let them not thinke they are any whit the more honourable , vnlesse they haue the temperance of the minde & body before remembred .

We haue here in common vse to buy and sell , diuers peeces of siluer and gold , which passeth from man to man as good payment , so long as the mettall be currant , and the Princes stampe vpon it : but if we finde a peece counterfeit , and the true stampe set vpon base mettall , we presently naile it to a post , and wish the coiner hanged , so that all the estimation is in the mettall , and not in the print : so in like manner , though a man be neuer so Counterfeit gentilitie . rich , & neuer so highly aduanced , yet if Vertue hath not framed him fit for those places , wise , affable , temperate , but foolish , malicious , and vainglorious , he is no otherwise , but as the print of honour , set vpon base bullion , and so commits horrible treason against the maiestie of Vertue .

There bee some that hunt after honour , and some that be hunted after by honour : touching the first , they are such as by bribes or double diligence creepe into a place or office of preferment , and neuer rest night not day , till by money & friendship they haue got it a hungrie eye to spye out , and an impudent face to thrust in , and beeing warmely seated , strout vp and downe with swelling termes , as if they had risen by some degree of Vertue . The other sort are sought after by honour , and they bee such that Vertue frameth fit for that purpose , that first growe excellent in some high desert , for these beg no place , nor foist into office , but if it come , they vnwillingly hold it , and be no whit the more puft vp in opinion , but iustly exercise the same , not so much for theyr owne priuate gaine , as for the generall good .

Liberalitie ●s the artires , vaines , and sinewes of le●rning , and the worlds Paragon . Liberalitie is a mediocritie in giuing benefites , the bloud and strength of sciences , a Vertue diuine ; and to speake briefly of her properties , first and chiefly a liberall man is ready to reward honesty , his friends alliance , and such are neare him , to succour orphanes , widowes , bestowe poore maidens in marriage , and raise vp foundations , and mend decayed structures , for the good of posteritie , & is still occupied in such memorable works : and he is onely a franke man , that distributeth his substance measurably , and where it is fit , and must consider to whom he should giue , that is , to the needie ; how much ? according to his owne abilitie , and the others necessitie : and when ? in season and in due time , for liberalitie res●eth not onely in the quantitie of the thing giuen , but in the naturall disposition of the giuer . And this is one of the chiefe species of Iustice , to follow the worthines of the person in considering his good parts : for if gifts followe not Vertue , it is a great disparagement A liberallman i● a generall good man . to her followers : nothing is liberall but that which is iust , which is the ground of all ; for Iustice is euery Vertue , if her shoulders be bowed downe with want , to be raised vp againe with gifts : for there is no Vertue , but too much miserie destroyeth : in so much that if a man be as prudent as Cato , as iustas Manlyus , as magnanimious as S●ipio , and as temperate as Curius , yet neuerthelesse , if these vertues bee not eftsoones cherished by beneuolence , they will soone faint , growe feeble , and be daunted . Tollegloriae cupiditatem , & omne Os●r ▪ ●ib. 1. studium virtutis extingues , saith one . Take away the desire of glorie , and all studie of Vertue is vtterly extinct : for true it is , that no man eyther for his priuate good , or common profit , will apply the minde to any Vertue , vnlesse he be held vp and comforted in aduersitie , or rauished with an immortall hope , because the faculties of the minde are wholly studious to holde vp his poore dying life . Againe , who would bend himselfe to Art , Science , Facultie , or any kinde of learning , if there were not some glory ? for what moueth the Lawier to beate his wits on Littletons Maximes ? or to be so earnest to finde out the differences of causes , to bring them to a head , but glory ? the Diuine to studie the mysteries of Gods wonders ? or the Phisition to Hon●s alit art●s . diue into the secrets of nature , if they aymed not at preferment ? To conclude , honour nourisheth Art , and for the regard of dignitie , do learned men striue to exceede in facultie ; so that aduancement is the mother of Vertues Common-wealth ; yet neuerthelesse is it not so tyed within the limits of a circle , to keepe there and goe no further , I meane in respecting simply the vertues of the Donee , as to reward Vertue , and nothing but Vertue ; for the vicious being in want , must bee likewise cherished , though not for his owne sake ( hauing nothing in him of worth , yet because he is a Christian brother ) & therfore the Apostle willeth vs to do good to all , but especially to the vertuous .

So that a franke minde doth as well march before and leade the way to Vertue , as nourish her in whom Entisign●tiōs of Vertue to be cherished . she is first set . The substance of a rich man is not so to be shut ●p that liberalitie cannot open it , nor so vnlocked to lye abroad for euery body , but a measure to be kept , which must bee referred to abilitie : for as it is not the part of a liberall man to be too pinching and niggardly , as to with-hold from good dutie , so is he prodigall that spendeth his faculties vpon flagitious and vile persons , or vpon bad and leaud courses , but onely where there is a signe of Vertue present , or an introduction to a future honestie : for the imployment of money is not honest , vnlesse it be to some good end ▪ neither is he a wise man that is so foole-large in distributing his goods , to waste his patrimonie , especially vpon such vaine things whereof a short memorie or none at all doth remaine , necessitie not prouoking , nor shewe of honestie inducing : such vnaduaned mispence bringeth nought but ignominie and shame : for what credit is it for a man to lash out his mony in feasts , playes , huntings , hawkings , and such vaine sports that soone vanish ? It is the greatest folly that may bee , that the thing that a man doth which is honest , to endeuour it may no longer be done : for as a wise man omitteth not to do good at all times , so hee vseth the matter with such moderation , that he keepeth a store by him to helpe with when occasion is offered .

How infamous among writers is Comodus , Ner● , Caligula , Heliogabalus , and other like monsters , which exhausted and deuoured infinite treasures in banquets , Prodigalitle i● a r●ging fir● . brothel ▪ houses , and such abhominations , was this liberalitie ? shal they not suffer reproach to the worlds end ? and shall not all prodigall spend-thrifts , that wastfully consume their wealth , be partakers of the like shame ? Surely yes , when they are not transferred with the rule of measure , to doo that which they may continue to do , and sith they haue meanes to do good , to raise vp a happie memorie by dedicating theyr beneuolence to posteritie : and this was the cause our auntients set forth the picture of a Gentleman with his hands open , to signifie that liberalitie was the honour of a Gentleman , and that to giue was alwayes heroicall .

Now what aduantage then hath a rich man , that by rewards may purchase immortalitie , and outstrip the furie of Vice with good workes ? if so be hee abandon vaine glory , and do that he doeth with sinceritie .

From a good man , gifts passe with a free donation , not looking backe for requitall , nor blowing the trump when he giueth almes : yet can wee not say , but gratitude as a hand-maide , is euer attendant ; for though a poore man cannot acquite againe in measure , yet is he forced , will hee , nill hee , to confesse a debt beyond measure ; for a good mind doth alwayes remunerate a good turne .

E●nius . Benefacta male locata , malefacta arbitr● . Good deeds misplaced , become euill deeds .

So that it is a great decay of Vertue , when the merits of the vertuous are carelesly ouer-passed , for when men are ledde by passion , not by reason , many worthy spirits run out their liues vnprofitably , consume their daies in condolement , and repent the time spent in science , when they might haue gotten some adulterous trade . Now I say when Vertue doth knocke at the doore of liberalitie , and can haue no entrance , no maruell though she be frozen with colde , & goe a begging from doore to doore : but the iniquitie of the time hatcheth many euils in aduancing where Vertue doth not merit , in raising vp such as are voyd of all good parts . Now when notable imploymens are vnworthily bestowed , and giuen by corruption , the power of Vertue must needs be weakened and growe colde , and be feeble as the Orator saith ; Malê enim se res habet , cum qu●d virtute effici debet , id Offic. lib. 2. tentat ur pecunia . The matter ( saith he ) cannot goe well , when the same that should be wrought by Vertue , is accomplished by money : this ouerturneth all , for no man will willingly embrace her , if shee bring no aduancement : so that in this there lyeth a two ▪ folde mischiefe , one in the discouraging of learning , the other in the corruption ; for he that buyeth an office must needs sell it againe , and by extortion wring the conscience with iniustice : and therefore Cato would that no olde officer should be remoued till he dye , or for some notable Officers sought for wi●h greedin●sle . crime . For ( ●aith hee ) new officers are as hungrie flyes , that neuer leaue sucking till their bellies be full , whereas the old ones being ful before , sucke more faintly , so that the oftner they are chaunged , the more do they gnawe and sting the Common-wealth : and yet what is more common then buying and selling of offices ? for there is almost now a daies , no office , but is bought , sold , & offered to him that wil giue most , as a bankerout selles his goods : for if he can but nickhornnize his name in some ordinary fa● simile , he may step vp to dignitie : Nāgenus Hor. ad nun . & formam Regina pecunia donat , though he want all good properties & intelligible parts . If a hungry flye , a smatte●er , either for enuy of the partie that is already possest of Hungry flyes bloudsuckers . some office , or to satisfie his desire of priuate gaine , ( for by this it shal be best knowne ) do seeke vniustly to aspire by crowding and wresting the other out , & therein lalabour , Omnibus neruis , by direct and indirect means , it may wel be thought he hath opened the gate of his conscience , to corrupt & false dealing . And therfore if a man be not lawfully called , it is a point of wisdom to stay & haue an vnworthy opinion of himselfe , & be pacified with his present state , vntill the vacancie of a place shall importune him to make sute .

But it often otherwise commeth to passe , that money and countenance can promote men of no desert to preferment : for instance , one whose braine is all mudde , that neuer put his asse-head into the Accademie , little wit , and lesse honestie , may notwithstanding climbe vp to office , and be highly seated , so that he sing Egl● . 3. sweetely with Menalc●● : Aur●a mala decem misi cras altera mittam .

And a base stigmaticall Thraso , Fex populi , the scum and dregges of the people , that hath no commendable qualitie , as meanes to insinuate into fauour , but garrulous pratling , vnworthy chaste cares : yet shall he want no countenance , if so be he can but Ars adulandi , to feed the flambe of wickednesse , with the fuell of sinfull fopperie .

Vi●e rides on horsebacke , when Vertue i● faine to trot on footbacke . And thus shall Vice be animated and borne out , be it neuer so brutish and vnciuill , and be hugd in the bosome of charitie , when a man honest , if poore , shall bee scarce knowne of his neighbours , much lesse haue any measurable allowance . O pittifull case when Vice shall be exalted , wickednesse loued , and godlinesse hated ! Hence it is so many daungers arise , when the meede of Vertue is ingratitude , and so many good wits iniured in the iustice of their merit , guld by sycophants and flatterers , are not onely heereby distracted in their studies , and dismayed to proceed , but which is worse , so great discontentment breed , that they often proue disloyall , reuolt from obedience , and eyther fall into dishonest shifts at home , or bad atchieuements abroad : thrusting their weapons into the bowels of their mothers , eyther by open practises , or secret conspiracies . When with bribery and collatorall practises , men of no gifts leape vp to preferment ; & though they be neuer so weake and simple in iudgement , yet wil dare ( being thus lifted vp ) to censure euery man , as they were not meanly sighted in the deepest things , and by a malicious rage are readie The ignoran● is selfe-wis● . to controwle others doings , when to back their carping tongues , put on a superficiall habit of learning , whereas if they be nearly toucht , they appeare nothing else but emptie bagges , stuft with vain-glory , Nomine gramatice re Barbari , & seeke what they can to barre the vertuous of their iust reward , and darken their good names with scandalles , that the memorie of their labours may die . Thus when good deserts are neglected , liberalitie forgotten , and the bad countenanced , the common state is in great hazard : but this is that iron age Ouid speakes Fe●ea ●t●● . of , wherein Vertue should finde cold comfort , and passe from doore to doore vnregarded : which prescience of the Poet was neuer more verified than in these last times : for neuer was this sweet harmony of nature , the eye of world , the mistris of reason , of lesse price amongst men then now , for some are puft vp with pride & violence , that they had rather burye their coyne with E●clio in Plautus , then impart a myte for the incouragement of laudable Sciences : in so much as this colde deuotion , causeth many to leaue trading for so excellent a Iewell .

And not only Couetousnesse is an obstacle and let therevnto : but Pride , Pride , diuellish Pride , is crept into all states , euery man is fallen in loue with himselfe , either of his person or apparell , his quallities are so excellent in his owne eye , a poore mans wife will be as trim as a gentlewoman , and euery one studious to deck themselues in brauerie , when their manners are out of all good order : like the Musition that is very carefull to set his strings in tune , and let his manners be still out of order , the minde is set vpon fashions , fangles , & gawish cloathes , now one , and then an other , neuer content long with modest and sober attire , it is too meane , too base , too beggerly : for now he or she that can put themselues into a monstrous fashion , a singular habit , and be straungely drest vp , are in theyr owne opinion very gallant , but in the iudgement of wise men they are Pride as brief in England , as euer it was in Sodome . but a blowne bladder , painted ouer with many colours , stuft full of pride and enuie : the brauerie without , sheweth the arrogancie within ; for as there is no fire without smoake , nor no visible griefe , but an inward festering , so in whom so euer such badges of vanitie appeares , it is a sure token there is a stinking puddle of vain glory within . Some iuggle theyr lands into gay apparell , and clap it vp in a small roome , that contained a great circuite , and holde it a point of pollicie , to put their lands into two or three truncks of new cloathes , that wearing their lands on their backs , they may see that no strip nor wast be done by their tenants : but when they would Iuggle backward their cloaths into lands againe , alas and weladay they are so thredbare & out at th' elbows , that they will not match the former value , and so is dubd Sir Iohn Hadland ; a knight of pennylesse bench . Thus to make Idolls of their carkasses for a while , begger themselues for euer . And many such base pesants that haue witlesse wealth , or wealth without wit , are puft vp with such presuming thoughts , as they ambitiously aime to tricke vp themselues in costly suites , and couet to match , nay to exceed men of good worth and place : but this is destined to such high mindes , that when they are crept vp to the toppe of such brauerie , they often fall to great shame , being the first steppe to the downe-fall of beggerie : but howsoeuer they incroach into vaine-glorious tytles , yet wise men measure all estates by their vertues , not by pompe and outward brauery , and despise not him whome birth , time , place , or office , maketh worthie of such costly ornaments , but holde it lawfull and commendable to fit their degrees in apparrell , answerable to their callings : but if we should enter into the intollerable abuse of Pride , wee might paint out some that are dying theyr faces with painting , to be more louely and amiable , and stretch their wits aboue Ela to be the originall of some new toye : but who is so foolish to count them the fairer for that ? but rather the fowler : for that face that is slubbred & starched with so many ointments & dregs , is more liker a sore & scurffe , then a naturall face : God hath giuen the face , and thou Painted faces abhominable . defilest it with myre & dirt ; wouldst thou be faire , to be more amiable ? why , silence , sobrietie , chastity , are beautifull ornaments , and richer then any orient pearle , and with wise men more inestimable : but indeede if thou wouldest intice the eyes of them that behold thee , nourish lust in young men , and drawe them after thee , then this is the way : but in my opinion , it is impossible for thee to get a good & vertuous husband with whom thou maist liue quietly & wel , by smering thy visage : for when he seeth that thy face was but florisht ouer , he shall finde thee a deceitfull crocodile , and so loathe and hate thee more afterward , then euer he loued thee before .

Now what are these thus patcht vp by their owne workmanship , but the least part of themselues : they cannot be content to be as God made them , but as though they were hudled vp in haste , and sent into the world not fully finished : and to this end serue their drugs , balmes , The diuell the inuenter of f●arch , poking stickes , &c. oyntments , paintings , Lac virginis , & certere quid non ? to mend the least mote amisse : sye vpon these frownsing Irons , poking stickes , perriwigs , embroided fore-tops , &c. which are all an euident token of that filthy kennell of mudde wherwith they are possest : for what is all this but to impeach the Creator , and disable the all omnipotent workemanship of nature ? for when they haue done what they can , they paint but a muddy wall , and set a glosse vpon a counterfeit : for though they should bathe themselues in milke euery day , as Cleopatra , yet will they crye out with Ouid , I am meos v●ltus Ruga semilis erat .

And ouertaken with time , the visage will bee wrinckled , rugged , and hard-fauoured , and the whole body crooked , infirme , weake , and bent downeward , and force them , mauger their heads , to behold theyr graues , where vnder a clod , they and theyr gay cloutes must bee buried ; the remembrance whereof should make them vaile their plumes , and turne pride to humilitie : but the abundance they wallow in , like Epicures , drowne the minde in sensualitie , choake vp the vnderstanding , and keepes it backe from the contemplation Cold charitie now a dayes . of future happinesse . And notwithstanding they are so rich and sumptuously arrayed , and carrie so much golde about theyr neckes , and so hung with costly Iewels , yet will denie to giue a halfe-penny to them that haue neede : ô stonie heart ! that can suffer the poore to be in want , yea dye for hunger , and thou stuft ful of delicates , cloathed in silkes and fine garments , and let them lye naked in the streetes : or if the extreame necessitie of some poore Lazarus moue compunction , to giue an almes , it must be done in the eie of the world , and set downe in capitall Letters , and commended to posteritie , as a worke of eternal memorie . In like maner if we descend lower , we shall see Pride ruffle in base Rustickes , Euery base Tapster or Oastler , will be as fine as a Gentleman . for euery one wil be in the fashion , howsoeuer they come by it ; the seruant cannot be knowne from the Maister , the maide from the Mistris , nor scarce any mans estate distinguisht by his apparell ; but euery slouenly seruingman , and greasie scrape-trencher will exceede the boundes of his calling , and creepe into acquaintance with veluet , sattin , and such costly stuffe , too high I wisse for their lowe estate , and laie all they can rap and rend on their backes , in swaggering and vaine apparel , to seeme a clout of lowsie gentilitie , that prouing bankerouts in youth , are faine to weare ragges in age . And euery Countrey-wench that hath but foure nobles a yeare and shiftes , must be trimly trickt vp like mayde Marryan in a Morrice daunce , and her ruffes set aboue the common size , and bee in the fashion , though she get it with shiftes ; but the shifts that makes her laugh , sendes her often home by weeping crosse .

But it is vndoubtedly true , that such as are so curious , to dight vp themselues in quaint attire , forget to adorne the minde with humilitie , modestie , shamefastnesse , and suche feminine vertues as becommeth theyr sexe , and vtterly omit to decke the soule with the sparkeling Icmmes of sober-beseeming qualities . Consider what you are , and whereto you must , a painted post doth but deceiue the eye , and a painted bodie the soule . Is there a new fashion come out ? be thou then the first to put it downe , follow not the guise of the world , but seeke for those virgine vertues that will make you liue admired , as a wise and sober matron ; for the vanitie of apparell shewes the lightnesse of the heart , and the A faire whore i● a sweet poyson , and her lou● like a false fire soone out . very badge of inconstancie , when many female serpents lye in waite to deceiue young wits with traines of loue , and set out their gay bodies to sight , as pleasing obiects to intrap the soule , that tender youth may make annatomie of miserie by their owne woes .

A beautifull strumpet is an Adamant that drawes , a Panther that allures , and of the nature of quicke-siluer : for as this mettall doth mingle it selfe with gold wheresoeuer they meete : so they respect nothing in a man but money , and on that set their loue , and prize wealth before any internall Vertue . For as they are a painted continent of flatterie , the Image of inconstancie , and the cabanet of euill : so the habitation of such scorpions , is likened to hell , Noctes atque dies patet atri Ianua ditis , night and day the gates stand open to receiue all commers , and by their sweete words and loose maners , drawe soules to Gehenna . These iette with heads aloft , hung with rich abilliments , costly Iewels , and braue attire , when fetters for their feet , and manacles for their hands , were more seemlier for such shamelesse Curtizans .

These are as baites to take men , as hookes do fishes , and as Hiena , flattereth when shee meaneth to kill , and the Crocodile weepe when she pretends murder : so do they imbrace their louer with a dagger in his bosome , and feede him with sweete words , wanton toyes , till they bring him into fooles paradize : but when the storms of aduersitie begin to flow , their loue doth ebbe : and when my yong nouise his purse is dried vp , the great shew of loue doth abate : And therfore these mermaids may be fitly compared to glorious flowers , that haue stinking smels , puft vp with pompe & lightnesse , and containe nothing within but deceit and treachery : in sight louel● & sauerous : but in tast most deadly & venimous .

Ovaine mind ! that buildst thy rest vpon sinful sport , and makest shipwracke of chastitie for gaine , as though there were no God , or at least that he were idle and did not regard the action of men : shall they not one day they knowe not how soone , be conuented before his seat , and giue account for euery idle word ? much more for pride , couetousnesse , whoredome , and such like abhominable deeds : and being conuicted by their owne conscience , wil they not be danted at the woful sentence , Goe ye cursed ? &c. no doubt yes , their courage will quaile , & their pride abate : filthie sports & sweet sinnes are short and soone vade : but the guiltinesse tarrieth stil behind , and clogs the soule to eternall destruction .

Againe , by riches is corrupted the Iudgement with partiallitie ; for doth not the vaine world value a man by mony , by the outside not the inside , and iudge him rich if possest with some worldly honour ? For let a poore man be neuer so honest , wise , temperate , and his minde neuer so beautifull , yet if his backe be poore , in want , need , and out of fashion , and hath neither mo●ey nor friends , he shall haue Tom Drums entertainment : Sinihil attuleris , ibis Home for as , Why money is the sinewes , the bloud , and soule of man , without which all is nothing be it neuer so excellent : for vnlesse the purse be well lynde with crownes , neither Science , cunning , Art , honestie , or any Vertue , is auaileable to aduance to dignitie ( without some mechanicall indeuour ) for gold maketh a way to euery thing , yea and openeth the gates of hell as the Poet saith :

Omnis enim res , Virtus , fama , decus , di●ina , humanáque pulchris Diuitijs parent : qua● qui construxerit , ille Hor. in sermon , li ▪ 2. Clarus erit , fortis , sapiens , etiam & Rex : Et quicquid volet , hoc vel●ti virtute parat●m Sperauit magnae laudi fore .

So that a man hath all these properties in the vaine opinion of the world , if so be he be rich , but if poore , notwithstanding he be stored with good vertues , yet is he not reputed as he is : hath he mony ? yea : is he rich , and hath he great possessions ? yea : why then let him be honoured , and deemed vertuous , gratious , and what hee will , though in truth and veritie he be nor so nor so . Againe , is he beggerly , hath he no money nor meanes ? why then let him packe and walke along , no penny , no Pater noster : for hee is as one dead , among the liuing ; though indeede properly this peremptorie sentence ought not to be so applied ; but rather to Vertue , and littrature , without which the bodie is dead , although it liue .

What cannot this humpish element bring to passe ? can it not couer a masse of ill humors ? and cause the son to A true speech of a Cannibal . betray his owne Father ? as a leaud fellow said once , If my Father were a hangman , my mother a harlot , & my self no better : yet if I haue mony , I am liked wel inough , and neuer toucht with their misdeeds : so that there is no vice that wealth doth not smother : a rich man as proud as Tarquine , as cruell as Nero , as doggish as Tymon , as couetous as Diues , and as foolish as Lobellinus , yet all these vices are hid with greatnesse , and though counterfeit mettall , yet with a true stampe may currantly passe : but a poore man , in whom is great wisedome , and many good parts , Si res angusta domi , if coyne be wanting , he is despised , reiected , and neuer vsed in exployting waightie matters : so that a man is neuer thought wise , learned , vnlesse he be rich , and swim in the streame of wealth : and though he speake well , and to the purpose , yet is he neuer gracious , as the Poet saith , Rara tenui facundia panno . A poore mans speech is Sa●yr . 7. seldome pleasant , and wisedome vnder a ragged coate seldome canonicall : which the Philosopher wel found , Learning thrust out by head & shoulders . when offring to presse into the presence with his simple weedes , was shut out by a grim Cerberus , but shifting his cloathes , was admitted without repulse : wherefore comming before the king , hee turned all his obeysance vpon his owne cloathes , saying : I must honour them that honour me , for my cloutes brought that to passe which all my Philosophie could neuer accomplish . And thus is the rich beautie of the minde , measured by a beggers weede , and gay apparell preferred before a minde well qualified : so the rude opinion lookes at nothing but the outward picture , and magnifie an ignorant Asse , so he haue a gay coate , & set him on a high seate , where by silence he may seeme wise : for the wisedome of a man saith Salomon , is knowne by his speech . But as by knocking on a vessell , the cracke ( if any be ) wil soone be seene , so if toucht with an argument , his crackt vnderstanding will soone be manifest .

Great places are possest with men of weake iudgement , Simple men cl●mbe to high places . that haue no iotte of worthinesse , but wealth and worldly fame , and can serue for no other vse but for a Nomenclator to tell the clocke , call a spade , a spade , and recken vp the proper names of things : yet if trimly spunged vp in some formality ( though he haue litle wit , and small honestie ) it is inough to raise him vp to some dignitie : but when such an one is exalted into the imparatiue moode , how moodie his maistership is , so toade-swolne with pride and ambition , that he is ready to burst in sunder , & so rapt vp in conceit of his high place , that he vtterly forgets his first creation . Oh it is a world of sport to heare how some such clouting beetles rowle in their loblogicke , and intrinsicate into the maior of the matter , with such hide ▪ bound reasons , that he makes a pittifull learned face , one spreads his armes , cleares his throate , as who should say , attend , attend , for now hee speakes , whose conclusions are vnanswerable , but finding the proposition too deepe for his shallow wit , suddenly starts backe , and briefly huddles vp his headlesse matter . An other shakes his emptie head , and diues into the bottome of his bottomelesse braines , to finde some intricate and tedious circumstance , into which when he is entered hee cannot finde a period and full rest , so many Tautokogies and itterations come into the way , that vnlesse some Ariadne lend a threed to pull him out of Dedalus laborinth , hee must needs be lost ; or at leastwise when he is gotten out , is so myred with his owne slyme , that he becommeth a scorne to wise men , in laying open his owne weakenesse : yet who more talkatiue , and readie to stop the mouthes of men able to speake , then such insencible tatlers ? for drunken fortune hath this opinion of it selfe , that looke whatsoeuer it speaketh is authenticall , and droppeth from the mouth like the Oracles of Appollo . There is nothing therefore so holy , so pure , so honest , so chaste , but money will corrupt , violate , and batter downe : so that these emptie bottles , apish gestures , and anticke faces , if wealthy , rich , & well monied , all grosse imperfections are ouershadowed . So that when men are sotted in the allurements of this life , & dedicate their whole labours to so wicked a saint , they soone loose the vse of their goods , & become partially affected : if passion rule , & not reason , all goes to wracke ; for if either prodigallitie rule the purse , whereby the mind is strongly carried into temporarie ioy , or so gripple and couetous as to doo nothing but scrape in the dunghill of this world , why these extreames doo so vrge the opinion , that they headlong run at randome into all licentious and loose liuing , in so much as they do not perceiue to what ende they are aduanced aboue other men , and made so rich among a company of beggers .

Many there be ( the more is the pittie ) that although God hath abundantly multiplyed his blessings vpon them , that they cannot iustly say they want any worldly thing , yet bee they so neere to holde fast that which Hard-hearted Christians . they haue , that they doo as it were , single themselues from all common duties , and lay aside that regarde of the publique good , which theyr conscience and priuate abilitie doth instantly tye them vnto ; let vs note them a little , who will sooner shift and wrangle off honest duties then they ? will they not brabble and sophisticate for verye small payments ? and will they not wrest and winde lawes to their owne sence , if they may saue but a penny ? and beare the repulse of superiour rebukes , them to part with ought shall contradict their froward nature : is this the dutie of good subiects ? do these seeke the peace of the state ? doth not the Heathen man say : Non solum nobis natisumus : we are not borne for our selues alone , but for our countrey also : shall Christians be worser then Pagans ? Let this great dutie therefore be considered , seeing thou hast store , with-hold nothing that is due : is not hee a caytiffe that will see his mother dye for hunger , and he hath bread to relieue her if he would ? why , the Common-wealth is thy mother , euery poore Christian is thy brother , wilt thou see them famisht before thy face and not succour them , hauing inough ? Thou hast thy wealth to that end , if thou couldest see it , and vse it aright . Neuerthelesse , we see how men of good place and reckening , will hide themselues in corners , liue priuately , onely to keepe their purses , that they The Citie is extreamly postered with Inmates and Idle families , when the Countrey lies waste & vnpeopled . may be lyable to no imposition , and crowde into Cities , Boroughs , and priuiledge places , or like nonresidents , rowle vp and downe from one lodging to an other , to the intent that being vncertaine where to be had , their states may be vnknowne , and by this meanes both ouerthrowe hospitalitie , defraude the Queene and Common-wealth of necessarie duties , and depopulate the countrey . Is it not a token of a couctous minde , that men of good possessions and faire liuings , should breake vp house , and soiourne onely with one or two seruants , that they may hoorde vp theyr rents , when they are sufficientlye able to keepe a good house themselues ? surely it is a signe of a base condition .

Furthermore , many wealthy Yeomen , & rich Farmers that are risen vp to goods inough , doo tread the same path . For wheras erst when they dwelt vpon their owne , they kept good houses , and were no small stay to the places where they liued , are eyther couetous of some vaine-glorious title of gentilitie , or otherwise so miserly greedie of wealth , ( for one of the two I know not which ) thrust themselues in like maner , into Cities , Corporations , and Liberties , and yet holde theyr Farmes still in their owne occupying : for they haue such long armes , that they claspe many great liuings . And also lying vpon the aduantage , take Farmes ouer their neighbours heads , ten yeares before their Leases be expired : And what do they with these plurified liuings ? but place shepheards , heards , vnderlings , and such thred ▪ bare tenants in their stockes , and that at such vnreasonable rents too , that the poore snakes that dwell vnder them are driuen to weake shifts , to fare hardly , liue barely , moyle and toyle the whole yeare to scrape vp theyr rent , not sauing at the yeares ende for all theyr paines , scarce the price of an old Frise Ierkin : for theyr Lorde knowes better then they what profit will arise , and how euery thing will fall out : and if hee thriue vnder him , then doth hee stretch and racke it to the vttermost , till at last hee bring the whole gaine into his owne bagge ; and so by this means can hardly beare ordinarie charges , much lesse doo workes of superrerogation , being kept downe so cruelly by their greedie Land ▪ lords .

Now these haue not onely theyr meanes brought in vnto them by the sweat of poore mens browes , and sleepe in peace and securitie when others watch and labour ( a great blessing , if rightly weighed ) but will closely and cunningly seeke to shift off all duties by withdrawing them into odde corners . Oh that men of such abilitie should haue such Iron rustie hearts , to hide their heads , shut their hands , and whip deuotion from their doores ! doo they not seeke to subuert and weaken the state as much as they can , by with-holding that part of dutie required by the lawe of nature ? but the greedinesse of gaine causeth vnrelenting hearts , for one would possesse all alone .

O how are men deceiued in their owne estate , that being rich , are yet euer poore , because opinion is neuer satisfied : whereas if we onely respect nature , no man can be poore , Natàr a enim vt ait Philoso . paucis minimisque contenta nature , is content with necessitie . But to bring all this to a head , though some bee carried with the streame of pride , some with the flouds of desire , some prodigall , some pinching ; and though the couetous man gape for more , more , and like hell mouth , neuer satisfied , yet will they hide theyr plough-sores vnder the carpet of liberalitie , as now and then to giue an almes against a good time ( as they call it ) to beate downe a hard opinion , intimating thereby to bee good free-hearted men , when all the yeare beside , they scrape and clawe it from other by the excessiue prices of theyr badde commodities , and by pinching them with many vncharitable gripes , and yet will they hide theyr want of loue vnder Vertue and Religion : and why so ▪ because it carrieth a generall good liking of all men : for although many haue no religion at all , nor one sparke of a vertuous man , yet for all this wil they seeme to loue and embrace it intirely , because of the vnspotted simplicitie they see in the true professors thereof : and that chiesly , because this outward shewe is some meanes to asswage the heate of sharp reprehensions ; and that vnder colour of this , they may liue in some good report of the common sort : for if they should not hide the malice within , with a shewe of holinesse without , but permit the rebellion to rush forth , they would be hatefull to others , and disquiet theyr owne peace : to hold friendship therfore with the world , it is expedient for them to be hypocrites and deceiuers , and therefore will they performe many Christian duties , and communicate with the Saints , yea and crowde to the Church doore of true deuotion , and both pray and vse good exercises in their families , frequent Sermons , yea and ride and goe six or seuen miles to heare a good Preacher : are not these good things , Cunning deceluers . and the very properties of a true Christian ▪ yes verily : but all this is but done in pollicie to mocke the world : how know you that ▪ why looke into their course of life ; if any vaine opportunitie be offred , wil theynot follow it ? if the wicked call to goe , will they not run ▪ will they not dice , carde , sweare , swagger , and be drunke ? are they not vsurers , extortioners , proud persons , and so cold in charitie , that no Christian dutie can heat their loue ? so it is an casie thing to see their hypocrisie , if a man but cast his sight vpon their conuersation .

And in like manner , many at the end of the yeare ( as a charitable worke ) will keepe open house , and set open their gates , for al the rake-hels & loose vagabounds in a countrey , and fill idle bellies with their flesh-pots , when the poore , blind , lame , and sicke , are faine to lye in the depth of miserie , without comfort , helpe , or succour : and to what ende is this great superfluitie ? forsoothe , to reioyce for the blessed feast of Christmas : The false vse of●ue ioy . Indeede this feaste dooth bring great cause of ioy , for that beeing all lost in Adam , and heires of damnation , are neuerthelesse by the comming of the Messias , the sonne of God , who tooke on him our flesh at this time of the yeare , to vndergoe the wrath of his father due to vs , redeemed vs from hell , and made vs inheritors of heauen : here is cause of ioy , what a happie memorie is this ? how ought this feast to be celebrated in magnifying the Almightie , and lauding his name for so great a benefite ? but what a commemoration is here ? when they turne true ioy into carnall iollitie : doth this true ioy stand in eating , drinking , rioting , feasting , mumming , masking , dauncing , dicing , carding , and such like , that taste wholly of Heathens superstition ▪ is God honoured by this ▪ nay rather is hee not more dishonoured at that time of the yeare , then all the yeare beside ▪ So that a counterfeit ioy is set vp in stead thereof , meditation and mercifull workes are pulled downe , and Epicurisme set vp , which doth vsurpe and imperiously beare rule ouer all holy desires : for in this is theyr deuotion , in vnlawfull and sinfull pleasures , to gurmandize and waste in excesse the good blessings of GOD ; and these men will not sticke to lash out a whole masse of money , in dedicating feastes to diuell Bacchus , and maintaine Playes in theyr houses , as filthy as the Lupercalia in Rome , spend whole nights and dayes in reuelling , and toaste themselues by Virg. theyr great fires , and as the Poet sayeth , Regific● luxn paratae epulae , haue their Tables furnished at exceeding and princely charges , to stuffe the guts and feede the belley , and wish with Polmixe , that they had throates as long as Cranes , so that they might taste their sweets with more leisure : In so much that by this vnreasonable excesse and gluttony , in a fewe daies wast out that riotously , that would relieue many poore people if measurably bestowed . Thus I saye like Epicures they consecrate the memorie of this blessed feast , with such a ioy , as sauours altogether of the drosse and slime of the earth : and this is liberalitie forsooth , charitie , and Christian loue , when it is but prodigallitie , vain-glory , and hypocrisie .

Moreouer , although they be too too slacke in honest duties , yet will they scotch at no charge may bring pleasure , or holde vp some vaine-glorious memorie , as in building great houses , to be christned by their names , when many of them are but as Absolons pillar , a monument of folly , a spectacle of vanitie , and a prey of time , many chimnies , little smoake : large roomes , wherein a man may walke and chawe his melancholy for want of other repast , and neuer be put to the charges to buye a tooth-picker . And to what ende is this great building and cunning Architect ? but to stand in the gaze of the world , and make the passenger cry out with admiration ,

O domus antiqua hen quam dispari dominari Domino ! Ennius . O gallant house , full well do I see , How vnlike a Lord hath lordship on thee .

Indeed here is the two-folde benefit it yeelds , not only in setting many poore labouring men a worke , but also a Princely edifise and stately building , is a great honour to a kingdome . But such are worthie blame that ouerthrowe their state by building , not being able to vse one roome well of those many they build : for if a man of reasonable wealth fall into this humour of building gay houses , if he did small good before , is now vtterly vnable to do any at al , his new foundation hath eaten vp all his olde meanes : this is the simple pollicie of some men that loue to begger themselues to please the eye . Againe , how prouident men are to graft their children into great stocks , that may not easily be striken with the thunder-claps of aduersitie , & though the stocke be neuer so rotten , infected , & blasted with Vice , yet if rich and mightie , it is inough : and surely this Ethicall pollicie were highly to be aduanced , if so be that our continui●g Citie were here : but seeing all things are fraile , momentaine , short and transitorie , that we ●annot certainly number to morrow among the dayes of our life , what a meere madnesse is this , to be so in loue with the flattering smiles of this life ? and so myred in the dunghill of pleasures , as to doate so much vpon it : for verily men seeke their owne danger , when they make the thing that is indifferent , to be vnlawfull : do they not with Orpheus catch the ayre ? seeke the shadow , & loose the substance ? win earth , and loose heauen .

Yet these aboriginies , earth ▪ bred wormes , with high lookes , and insolent bragges , will stand vpon termes of gentilitie , and deriue their pedigree euen from Cadwallader , the last king of the Britons , when in sadnes they are not so much as sprinkled with one true drop of gentle bloud , neither one propertie of a Gentleman , vnlesse it should only stand in wealth & great possessions , which is contrary to our former assertion : for if true gentrie be a mind excellently deckt with rare vertues , not only by propagation of nature , but by integritie of qualities ; not in beautie , but in Vertue ; not in riches , but in honor ; not in pride , but in comelinesse ; not in costly and curious diet , but feeding the hungry , and cloathing the naked ; not in sumptuous building , ioyning house to land , kin to kin ( with respectiue marriages ) but onely in the true possession of Vertue : then albei●a man wallow in wealth , liue in pleasure , fare daintie , goe princely , hung with pearle , sweetly perfumed , hawkes , horses , hounds , and in a word , haue whatsoeuer pomp & glorie his hart can wish , or the world affoord : yet if he be not noble in Vertues , but ignoble in vices , and haue not those good parts that carry a vnion of good mens praises , he is but pirat & latro , a theefe and a robber ; and all his rich paintings & goodly buildings , are but monuments of shame and basenesse . Is not Vertue then more honorable then Vertue more honourable then riches . riches ? doth it not raise a man to immortalitie ? & doth not riches ouerthrow his happinesse , if not duly ouer-watcht with Temperance ? and if so be a rich man looke narrowly into his state , and cast vp his accounts well , he shall finde himselfe a very bankerout , and to owe more then he is worth : for why hath hee more plentie of bastardly riches then other men , but that hee is a bayliffe , steward , & Feoffer in trust , to dispose & lay out in almes and charitable workes ? Now then if hee apply them to his owne vse , what reckning can he make , or how wil he answer it at the great assises , when it shall be obiected by the king of glory , When I was naked , you cloathed mee not : when I was hungry you fed me not ? &c. Goe into euerlasting fire , &c. And therfore these great rich men of the world , haue obiects before theyr eyes , and are hemde in with poore on euery side : heere is one crying for bread , there an other for cloathes , the sicke to bee visited , the lame and infirme to be comforted , the straunger to be lodged , so that they cannot turne their eyes no way , but they haue motions to stirre vp charitie , and wofull clamors sounding into their eares of want : and yet had diuers of them rather doo any thing then relieue theyr necessities , to giue tenne pound for a Hawke , then ten pence to cloathe the naked . The Rauen forsakes her young ones assoone as they are hatcht , because seeing them of an other hew , thinkes them of an other kind : so in like maner some rich men looke aloft , snuffe & fume at their poore brethren , and cast off all deuosion & brotherly loue , because seeing them humbled and brought lowe in the world , iudge them vtterly vnhappie , when verily they are not only of one selfe-same issue & parent , but also more acceptable to God in their base estate , them they in all their royaltie .

Is it not lamentable , to see a number of poore winterstarued people lye pining in miserie , which might Cold charltie in these daies , among many mysers . bee relieued , if it were but with the surplusage of their vaine expences , and comforted with that , which they wastfully consume ? For do but view these kinde of men , and you shall see they will spare for no cost to build faire houses ( as I said before ) though they impouerish themselues for euer : galleries , bowling-allies , walkes , and whatsoeuer may bring delight ; to ride with great retinew to shew their pompe , and maintaine their ▪ quarrels , to feede idle bellies with their flesh ▪ pots , that are no sooner vp but run to vaine sports : but if a poore man be fallen into want , or an honest cause craue some reliefe , a penny is as hardly gotten from them , as fire out of a flint ▪ stone , or if it doth at last come , it is many times more for fashion to shunne reproach , then for charitie to the cause . But some perhaps will say , it is my owne , and may I not do with mine owne what I will ? but t is neither so , nor so : for it is not thine , thou art put in trust to laie it out , to helpe and succour thy poore needy brother . Perhaps thou wilt say againe , I brought him not to beggery : did I lame him ? did I vnparell him ? or did I vnhouse him ? wherfore then should I recompence him whom I neuer wronged ? Are Bees bounde to gather honey for droanes ? and must I keepe life in rattes and myce , and such vermine as are bred by the infection of a plentious yeare ? Indeed they are made poore , but t is because thou art rich ; that thereby thou mightest exercise thy loue , for there shall be poore alwayes to set charitie a worke : yet some are so farre from loue , as they fall into barbarous cruelty , that they had rather cut their throats , then cherish them with beneuolence : as it is recorded of a B. B. of Constance , that vnder colour of giuing almes , assembled all the poore in the countrey together , shut them vp in a barne , set fire to it , and burnt them vp together , counting it a worke meritorious : and no doubt for so doing , he was cannonized a saint by the impietie of Antichrist .

If one of these Bacchanalls , deliuer to his steward a great summe of mony to lay out in domesticke affaires , and he lauish it out in ryoting , drunkennesse , and leaud company , will not his maister pull his coate ouer his eares ? brand him for a knaue , and turne him out at his gates ? no doubt he would be as rigorous as so leaude a prancke should deserue : why then how do they thinke to escape ? being bailiffes and stewards , to the Lorde of Lordes , who hath committed his treasure to them , with a charge to laie it out in such mercifull workes as he hath appointed , and they runne with it to the market A note for belly-gods . of vanities , and expend it in prodigall vses . Surely it will bee a mad reckening when they shall come in with Item in Pheasants , Patriges , Woodcockes , sawses , sops , & delicates for the body , so much . Item in strange fashions , and new fangles for my backe , so much : vpon dogges so much : in vaine building so much , and such like . I suppose this bill of Items will bee scarce pleasing to theyr maister that hath put them in so great trust .

Then seeing God hath made thee rich , and thy brother poore , be neuer the more puft vp with pride and disdaine , but studi● how thou mayest discharge so great a reckning as thou hast to make : think this with thy self , he that made me rich , could haue made me poore ; it is in his bountie , not my deseruing ; I do but possesse that of which an other is owner , who can disinherit me when he will : why then should I bragge as if it were mine owne ? and though my brother be poore , yet peraduenture he is richer to God then I ; I see no difference betweene vs , we are both of one moulde , ●aue that I haue more chaffe and rubbish then hee , which is scattered with euery gust of winde : so that if hee well consider his state , and expostulate with himselfe in this manner , that loade of riches that is now so heauie , will be more easily borne .

The Poets faine , that Plutus the god of money is lame when he commeth , but hath wings swiftly to depart : signifying that as riches are long in getting , so they are suddealy lost : and therefore a man should be rich in charitie and poore in desire , and impart the benefite to the needments and necessitie of other .

For as there is a diuine coherence between the members of the bodie , though they haue all a distinct and peculiar office , yet they all minister to the common societie : so in like manner we being members of that bodie , whereof Christ is the head , ought to bend our actiuitie for the health & welfare of the same , and to beare such a mutuall coniunction and simpathie , as feeling members , to open the bowels of compassion on such as are in want : and this onely is Vertues Common ▪ wealth .

Neuerthelesse there be some well disposed and very forward to all good duties in saying , till it come to doing : but then they winch like a gald horse , ô they cannot away with charge : If my abilitie saith one would answere my willingnesse , I would do this and that , or if I had so much wealth , I would relieue the poore better , they should not goe emptie handed ; or if I had so much wit , and such means , I would countenance good causes with the beautie of honor : and so do they vaunt of that they would do , and yet do not that they should do . I demaund what good doest thou with that little thou hast ? thou art wise and politique , or at least thou thinkest so , how doest thou vse it ▪ if thou art vnfaithfull in a litle , no doubt thou wouldest be so in a great deale : for as he is inconfident to whom mony is deliuered vpon trust to pale to an other , & doth either keep it back all , or deliuer but halfe : so hee that hath much or litle & doth not dispose it as he oght , is not worthy to be trusted with more . Perhaps thou wilt say , such a man is of great wealth and he doth litle good or none at all , why then should I that am of lesser value do any thing ▪ this is no excuse for thee , nor cause of suspence , for thou art to looke to thy owne dutie , and not weaken thy owne charitie , by the negligence of other men .

An other wil boast of that litle he doth , and be the trumpe of his owne praise : saying , I giue thus much weekly to the poore , and do this and that good : but he is to examine himselfe if it be according to his wealth and place or no , for otherwise an other man doth as much that is farre behind in substance , and with whom hee would bragge without measure , in comparatiue termes : but some thinke if they do a little good , though it be nothing in liew of their state , or if they doo not a great deale of hurt by pilling , powling , strife , factions , and such like troubles , they haue done so much good , that God is bound to paie them somewhat back again . But according to the Poet , Est quodam prodirete●●s : sinon datur vltra .

Hor. Here could I enter in a field of matter more then much : But ghesse that all is out of frame , and long it hath bene such .

Although it were better to be occupied in practising those bookes alreadie written , then to write more , ( this last age being so full , that it doth exceed all other ) : yet the necessitie of times , by reason of controuersies , do prouoke the learned to spende their labours that way : and not only so , but in explaining the scriptures , and No ende of making ma●y bookes . discoursing of Sciences , which worke is not only necessary , but commendable ; whereby a generall good is brought in : this godly vse of writing cannot be disliked of any vertuous man .

But forasmuch , as some are diuersly affected , they obserue not this decorum before noted , but fall into vaine iangling , and so conceited of their owne wits , and haue so many crotchets in their heads , that they publish great volumes of nice and curious questions , ambiguities , & doubts , as many of the Asse-stronomers , that are very inquisitiue to knowe if the world were created Curious starre gazets . in the Spring or Autumne , the night before the day , and how Moses could write credibly of the worlds creation , liuing so many yeares after ; as thoug● God could not as well tell him what was passed , as he did the Prophets what was to come , and such deep secrets , as thogh God had called them to counsel . In like maner some are busied in Natiuities , Destinies , Dreames , Palmestrie , and Phisiognamie : in a word , who is able to expresse the foolish curiositie of some men , that are neuer satisfied in these vaine & idle studies , but spend whole yeares in searching after doubts and fallacies , and in the mean time ouerpasse those things which he hath vouchsafed to reueale vnto vs , sufficient for vs to know : Noli altum sapere , it is no time well spent to soare so high in things shut vp from common vnderstanding and reason , and chiefly seeing they are no ground of faith , nor meanes to edification .

But by this , the Romaine marchant hath fetched in his greatest gaine , I meane by false reu●lations , and The Pope looseth nothing by this . fond opinions , as Purgatorie , the Econimicall gouernment of the heauenly powers , the mansions and chambers in heauen , the degrees of Angels , and Archangels , Cherubins and Seraphins , and a thousand other fond imaginations , foysted in among them by their schoole dunces , which they falsely deriue from Dionisius Ariopagita , one of the seuentie Disciples : so that by these intricate fallacies , and subtill silogis●●es , wherewith they are maintained , many poore soules are insnared , and cast headlong into a laborinth of blinde superstition . This curiositie therefore is a daungerous disease , and a sore that must be healed , least it fester and run ouer the whole body .

Others there bee that haue such a leaprosie of wit , that they to disquiet and trouble the estate , seeke for innouation , and displant all good order established , not onely thereby amazing the weake Christians , but also alinating the hearts of many from their due obedience . Touching these that carpe at the present discipline , I will say little , onely this much by the way : that although many things may bee misliked in a pollitique state , & not seeme so precisely good to them that looke a farre off with slight imagination : yet may be wel permitted and tollerated in pollicie , to keepe peace and quietnesse : so be it the fundamentall properties stand fast , which otherwise could not but bring much confusion and disorder : and therefore it is no sure opinion ( as the learned suppose ) to goe about to change lawes , and breake downe discipline , which is alreadie established , least all comelinesse and good order be therewith ouerthrowne .

Some do nought else but scrape the puddle of contentions , to finde matter to wrangle , though they haue no cause to carpe .

Epist. 18 ▪ li. 1. Alter rixatur de lana s●pe caprina : propugnat nugis armatus .

And these are so ambitious of their sophisticall vaine of wrangling , that they put their brabbles in print , to the view of the world , and out of the rancour and malice of their hearts , spew and belch outscandals , slaunders , Busie controwlers . rumors and false reports : by that meanes kindle flambes of contentions in a peaceable state , and distemper the quietnesse of mens affections , and this is chiefly bent against good men : for the qualitie of grudging enuie is , to be sicke with sorrow and virulent hate , at the prosperitie of other : for hee that is exhorted by the desert of Vertue , is subiect to scandalls , and the back-biting of the uious .

But the hauen I intend to harbourin , is to speake somewhat of those vaine , idle , wanton Pamphlets and lasciuious loue-bookes , which as fire-brands , inflame the concupiscence of youth : for in my opinion nothing doth more corrupt and wither greene and tender wits , then such vnsauoury and vituperable bookes , as hurtful to youth , as - Machauile to age , a plaugh dangerous , and as common as dangerous .

The lazie Monkes , & fat-headed Friers , in whom was nought but sloath & idlenes , bred this contagion ; for lining in pleasure & ease , and not interrupted with cares , they had time inough to vomit out their doltish & rediculous Vaine bookes the spoile of many young wits . fables , & this was the subtiltie of Satan then , to occupie Christian wits in Heathens foolery ▪ but now this age is more finer , mens wits are clarified , the dulnesse of that time is thrust out , an other method is brought in , fine phrases , Inkchorn-termes , swelling words , bumbasted out with the flocks of sundry languages , with much pollished and new-made eloquence ▪ with these daintie cates they furnish and set out their filthy and vicious bookes ; now what do they , but tye youth in ● setters of lust , & keepe them in the thoughts of loue ? for do they not with glosing words tickle and stirre vp the affections to be conceited of some fond passion , to be more vngraciously subtill ? and doo they not labour in vaine cunning to infect and poison delicate youth● ? are not there idle Poems of carnall loue , lust , and ●nchaste arguments ? the very nurses of abuse , by which the minde is drawne to many pestilent wishes . For when as young folkes haue licked in the sweete iuice of these stinking bookes , their conuersation and manners are so tainted and spotted with Vice , that they can neuer be so cleane washed , but some filthy dregges will remaine behinde . I may liken them to fawning curres , that neuer barke till they bite : or a gaye painted coffer , full of toades and venemous beasts : So in like manner many of these bookes haue glorious outsides , and goodly titles : as if when a man tooke them in hand , he were about to read some angelicall discourse : but within , full of strong venome , tempered with sweete honey : now while the minde is occupied in reading such toyes , the common enemie of man is not idle , but doth secretly insnare the soule in securitie . And some of good partes , and Good wits vaine writers . beautified with no common gifts , both of art and nature , not being ledde by the sun-shine of Vertue , infect the puritie of wit with prophane inuention , in some loose subiect ; as patrons of Vice , and nurses of impietie , and spend the blessednesse of time in vnnecessary babling .

Other base and seruile wits runne rashly into any sinfull argument , and crowde to the prease with might and maine , not so much regarding the generall hurt , as some sixe ▪ penny allowance : nay , euery triuiall mate and cashired Clarke , will bewray his folly in print , and with a tumultuous confusion of words , lay out a deale of amorous prattle , though he be as tedious to his reader , as a muddie way to a wearie traueller . Now what is to be found in these bookes ? but filthinesse and grosse ignorance ; as for learning , there is none to be found in them , which neuer came neare the shadow of learning themselues , and as little wit , but a fewe fine words of lust , which are chiefly ment to bend the minde to wantonnesse : yet are they led with this vaine supposition , that if they haue bin luld a sleepe but one night on the Muses lap , are able to publish any thing with well deserued commendations : and I must needs say , that I my selfe haue read in them , and taken great delight in their foolish lyes ; but surely I could neuer find either goodnes or wit , vnles Vice be Vertue , or to tel a bawdie tale be wit .

Neuertheles , I would not haue any man think , that I inueigh against , or discommend Poetrie ; for in al ages it hath bin thought necessarie : but only against those abusers of Poesie , who vnder the name & title of Poets , foist Modest Poetrie commendable . in their wanton & lasciuious verses . The true vse of Poetrie standeth in two parts ; the one in teaching the way to Vertue ; the other to moue with delight therevnto : for honest delight stirreth vp men to take that goodnesse in hand , which otherwise would bee loathsome & vnpleasant : so that when it is bent to a good end , and euery thing laide out in his due annalligie , with some ioy the affections are thereby inuoked to a serious consideration , to imitate that goodnesse wherevnto it is moued . Those bookes that both delight and perswade with learned discretion , & out of which some wholsome document may be extracted , though it be simple , yet is it praiseable . Disdaine not ( saith the wise Heathen ) the simple labour of an other , though thou beest neuer so great ; especially if he speake good words . Againe , considering the diuersitie of mens minds , and how diuersly they are disposed , all honest delight is not to be disproued , because euery man may finde both pleasure & profit : for as I say , by a pleasant discourse the minde is more chearefully carried , both to read & meditate , to muse and studie , & the memory more willing to holde that it hath conceiued : So that Poetrie is no other thing , but a liuely presentation of things ingeniously disposed , wherby Vertue is painted out with such fresh colours , that the mind is inflamed with her excellent properties .

Now whosoeuer shall discent from this true vse , is no Poet , but a vaine babler : for what are all these scurrillous tales , & bawdie verses ? do these moue to Vertue with honest delight ? nay doo they not rather stirre vp bawdrie and beastlinesse ? for are they not full of Paganisme and ribald speeches , to stirre vp the mind to shady idlenesse ? is this Poetrie ? verily they are as vnworthy the name of Poets , as Chirrillus , who had nothing to grace his verses by , but onely the name of Allex.

But if a man superficially & slitely glideth ouer these pye-bald Pamphlets , they are like a pleasing dream , that mockes the mind with silken thoughts : but if seene into with a sober iudgement , hee shall finde in that faire beaten path , many Adders & Snakes lye in waite to byte him by the heele .

A Legend of lyes . For if a view be had of these editions , the Court of Venus , the Pallace of Pleasure , Guy of Warwicke , Libbius and Arthur , Beuis of Hampton , the wise men of Goatam , Scoggins Ieasts , Fortunatus , and those new delights that haue succeeded these , and are now extant , too tedious to recken vp : what may we thinke ? but that the floud-gates of all impietie are drawne vp , to bring a vniuersall deluge ouer all holy and godly conuersation : for there can be no greater meanes to affright the mind from honestie , then these pedling bookes , which haue filled such great volumes , and blotted so much paper , theyr sweete songs and wanton tales do rauish and set on fire the young vntempered affections , to practise that whereof they doo intreate : who by reason of theyr infancie and imbicillitie of wit , are soone seduced , and with wine-puft eloquence , doo so artificially lim out the life of vanitie , as they easily take the impression of that which is portrayed out vnto them : and on this rocke stands the ensigne of their glory , if smoothly and pithily they can trick vp a tale of some beastly prapus , of lawlesse lust , and rip vp the genealogie of the Heathen gods , to carrie the minde into wonderment : ô how they will diue into the bottome of their braine ! for fluant termes , and imbossed words , to varnish theyr lyes and fables to make them glib , and as we vse to say , to goe downe without chewing , which as poyson doth by litle and litle , disperse it selfe into euery part of the body .

From hence riseth so much foolish idle prattle , the Seruing-man , the Image of sloath , the bagge-pipe of vanitie , like a windie Instrument , soundeth nothing but prophanenesse , and some are so charmed , as they spend their whole life in vaine reading , because they see in them as in a glasse , their owne conditions : now such vaine fragments as fit their humors , they sucke in , and ●queese out againe in euery assembly .

It is too true , that one such wanton toye dooth more breed Vice , then twentie godly treatises can induce to Vertue : nor twentie Sermons preached by the best Diuine in England , doth not so much good to moue to true doctrine , as one of these bookes do harme to intice to ill liuing : they corrupt good learning , & subuert all sanctimony , and by a tedious pratling ouer-sway the memory from that good purpose whervnto it ought to be imployed , not informing the iudgement in matters worthy to be learned .

From whence then creepeth in this pestilence , but out of these vaine bookes ; for euery mischiefe by litle & litle crawleth vpon the good manners of men , which vnder some shewe of goodnes is suddenly receiued , which by a voluntary admittance at the first becommeth habituall , especially when the spirituall faculties are defiled with much conuersation : in so much that many that hold places in sacred assemblies , become affected to their phrases , Metaphors , Allegories , and such figuratiue and suparlatiue termes , and so much vaine eloquence , as they yeeld no fruite at all to their auditors , but driue them into amazement with a multitude of Inkehorne-termes scummed from the Latin , and defused phrases , as they flye aboue the common reach , when the most profitable and best affected speech is that that is most congruable and fitly applied to the intendment & vnderstanding of the hearers by familiar and ordinarie termes , not sophisticall , darke , and obscure , nor too base and barbarous : but such as are animated by their present abillitie to speake more then other men , and be addicted to affectation , haue commonly a dearth of iudgement , sildome edifie , but gallop ouer prophane writers to shewe theyr vaine reading .

Demosthenes beeing called to declaime against the rude multitude that had assembled themselues in the Forum of Athens , answered he was not yet readie , if he that had Facacia ingenij , the very soule of wit durst not speak in a serious matter without preparing himselfe before , how can such that come far short of him in promptnes of naturall wisdome , presume to handle holy things so rashly with humane learning , for it is an impudent boldnesse for a man to take vpon him to teach others that which he before hath not bene taught : but I may speake as Tully spake of the Orators of Rome , Sed tamen videmus quibus extinctus Oratoribus quam in paucis spes quanto in pa●cioribus facultas quam in multis sit audacia . We see ( saith he ) what noble Orators are put out of the way , and how in fewe a hope remaineth , in fewer a skill , but in many a boldnesse , that dare set vpon any thing .

To returne , doo not these idle pernicious bookes poyson the well disposed manners of youth , and macerate and kill the seedes of Vertue that begin to bloome ? for doo they not vse more vaine eloquence then confidence in matters of wisedome ? So that all that which they do , is but to make a mutinie . Men need not sowe for weedes , for they growe fast inough : so we are polluted inough by kinde , though we be not more defiled by custome : thus do they proceed like cankers to eate off the tender buddes .

Neither do they want some Mecenas to Patronize their witlesse workes , and to haue some applause , bend Vaine worke● wel reward●d . the scope of theyr argument to fit their dispositions ; yea , and many times thrust their dedications vpon men of graue and sober carriage , who will not sticke to recompence their idle labours .

Now if the principall scope of all our actions and counsels , ought to be to some good ende , and that it must needs passe as a Maxime , that nothing can be good but that which moueth to Vertue , them it must consequently follow , that all prophane and lasciuious Poems , are as an infectious aire that brings a generall plague , because they striue against honestie .

And if Plato , sawe so great cause to shut them out of his common-wealth , as noysome to the peace and tranquillitie thereof , what ought our Platonists to do ? sith they more abound heere then euer they did there : or if we had but the zealous affections of the Ephesians , we would loathe the price of so great iniquitie , and sacrifice them at a stake , though they were of neuer so great value . But happily it will be demaunded how Ladies , Gentlewomen , &c. should spend the time , and busie their heads , as though idlenesse were not a vice badde inough of it self , without fire to be added , and as though there were not a Bible , and many good bookes wherein they might be vertuously exercised .

Of good wits well imployed what good would ensue , by setting out the praises of the immortall maiestie , that giueth hands to write , and wittes to inuent , what matter might they not finde : both honest and necessary , in which they might first want words to vtter , then matter worthie to be vttered : especially those that are not only by their outward felicitie freed from troubles and perturbation of minde , imbracing content in the bosome of peace , the nurse of Sciences , but are also inabled , and sufficiently gifted to publish any thing of worth , ô how willing is Vertue to crowne them with honour ▪

But this contagion , ought seriously to be considered by men of riper iudgement , and by such as haue authoritie to suppresse the abuses ; for is it not lamentable ? that a Pamphlet discoursing nought but Paganisme , should be so vendible , and vertuous bookes want sale , the one bought vp thicke and three fold , the other lye dead , for there commeth forth no sooner a foolish toye , a leaud and bawdy ballad , but if sung in the market , by the diuels quirristers , they flocke to it as crowes to a dead carkasse ▪ buying them vp as Iewels of price , be they neuer so ribauld , filthie , or dorbellicall ▪ but bookes of Christianitie , of modest argument , that ten● to rectifie the iudgment , lieth still in the Stationers hand as waste paper , not so much as looked after : so that by this we may plainly see , what a froward generation we are fallen into , where in such bookes as are most hurtfull and daungerous , are most deuoutly coueted .

Pythagoras rule . But if they would obserue the Philosophers rule , to abstain from speaking fiue yeare , I doubt not but in that time , they would be fitted and fully established , to write with sober iudgement , as men of vnderstanding & reason : or if the Apostles rule were followed , Be swift to heare , and slowe to speake , they would be more considerate , and not runne out the course of their liues in such vnprofitable studie .

But touching the defence some make , to approue this vaine writing , it is too ridiculous , and not worth an answere , that they doo by this meanes polish & refine our English tongue , and drawe it from barbarisme , into a more finer Cadence of words : but those bookes that polish the toong , & depraue the life , are dangerous , and in the sentence of wise men , in no case to be allowed : for it were better for a man to be dumbe , then by speaking to approue a wrong , and accuse the innocent : and better it were indeed that they had not only no learning at all ; but also that they had no eyes to see , nor eares to heare : for as it is in the Gospell , it were much better for a man to goe blinde into heauen , then with two eyes to be cast into hell . Neither can I see but that they drawe our language from the auncient tenor , by mixing it with so many straunge countries , that it seemeth rather more artificiall , then naturall : and more baser then the common lawe , which is compounded of French , English and Latin , &c.

The harsh tooting of Pans pipe , was more pleasing to Mydas care , then the sweet harmony of Apolloes harp , Vaine men ▪ iudge vainly . but this fault was in the Iudge , whose simplicitie could not distinguish them aright : in like manner , many are better content with vicious bookes , bawdie songs , foolish and wanton ditties , then in the well sea●oned writings of holy men , and this is for want of iudgement , being as blinde as he was foolish . It may be said of such , as Pythagoras said to a leaude fellow that soothed himselfe in conuersing with badde company , I had rather quoth he be acquainted with bawdes , then wise Phylosophers . L. Max. No maruell quoth he very sadly , swine delight more in dirt , then in pure and cleane water .

Of such bookes as moue to good life , and bring a benefit to posteritie , we haue but too fewe , and can neuer haue too many : but of such as followe their owne fancies in spewing out their wandering imaginations , we haue but too many , and it were to be wished we had none at all . Good men are not only otherwise imployed , but also greatly discouraged , for if they set forth any notable booke of diuinitie , humanitie , or such like , they are in no request , but to stop musterd-pots , & what is the reason but this , euery Stationers shop , stal , & almost euery post , giues knowledge of a new toy , which many times Good bookes lye dead . intercepts the vertuous disposition of a willing buyer : so that hauing time , and incouragement , labor what they can , to deface good mens workes , with the multitude of their sinfull fopperies .

Hee that can but bombast out a blancke verse , and make both the endes iumpe together in a ryme , is forthwith a poet laureat , challenging the garland of baies , and in one slauering discourse or other , hang out the badge Many Poets shallow wit● . of his follie . O how weake and shallow much of theyr poetrie is , for hauing no sooner laide the subiect and ground of their matter , and in the Exordium moued attention , but ouer a verse or two runne vpon rockes and shelues , carrying their readers into a maze , now vp , them downe , one verse shorter then an other by a foote , like an vnskilfull Pilot , neuer comes nigh the intended harbour : in so much that oftentimes they sticke so fast in mudde , they loose their wittes ere they can get out , either like Chirrillus , writing verse not worth the reading , or Battillus , arrogating to themselues , the well deseruing labours of other ingenious spirits . Farre from the decorum of Chauser , Gowers , Lidgate , &c. or our honourable moderne Poets , who are no whit to be touched with this , but reuerently esteemed , and liberally rewarded .

Then seeing this naughtie kinde of writing dooth plucke vp the seeds of Vertue by the rootes , and quench that little fire assoone as it beginneth to kindle , they ought to be shunned as Serpents & Snakes , and youth chiefly to be kept from reading them .

The Libeller is punished according to the qualitie A fit comparison . of his Libell , either by pillorie , whipping , losse of eares , fine , imprisonment , and such like : the thiefe hanged , the traitor drawne , and euery one punished in that kind he doth offend in : are not these filthy bookes libells ? do they not defame , discredit , and reproach Vertue and honestie , by expounding Vice with large comments ? do they not steale away all holy deuotion , poyson good wits , and corrupt young people ? shall hee be pardoned by course o● lawe , that offends in the highest degree ▪ and shall hee be counted a maister of wisedome , that teacheth nought but foolishnesse to the people ▪ wherefore then should this so great mischiefe goe vnreproued ▪

To conclude , he that can read , shall finde bookes worthy to be read , wherein is both wisedome and learning , pleasant & wittie , sober and chast , that both profit The profit of reading good bookes . the life , and ioy the mind : but before all other , to read those diuine bookes , that both lift the heart to God , and direct vnto Christian duties : for such is Fomentum fidei , nourishing faith , Lexio alit ingenium , so the bookes bee wise , vertuous , chaste , and honest : touching the former , they are but stinking infectious writings , which as mudde and dyrt defile the body , so do they pollute the soule .

By reading good bookes , the minde is stored with wisedome , the life bettered and setled in quietnesse : so that still all reading be referred to the Bible , from whence all Vertue is deriued . For this cause S. Paul admonisheth Timothie to giue attendance to reading : for albeit hee was trained vp in the scriptures from a childe , and had all Ephesus vnder his charge , yet hee stirreth him to reading ; for by reading more knowledge is not onely gotten , but also the decayes and breaches of the memorie is againe renued ; and vnlesse there be both a powring in of more , and a continuall restoring of that which is lost , all will drop away , and leaue a man emptie : for the memorie is like a ruinous house , readie to fall downe , which if not eft●oones repaired , will soone become inhabitable .

The ground●d opinion of wise and godly men against Playes , must be authentick . Touching Enterludes and Playes , I will omit to speak how the best iudgements conceiue of them , their reasons being strong and manifolde , to thrust them out as things indifferent , and make them simply vnlawfull .

For although they are not simply forbidden in expresse words , yet if it once appeare the true vse be lost , and cleaue to a bad report , it is the part of euerie man , to shun and auoyd the same , and rather drawe other to reformation , then violently suffer himselfe to be swayed with the like affection .

I. Cor. 8. And this agreeth with that of Paul , If indifferent things giue offence to the weake , they ought to bee remoo●ed : for the freedome of those things giueth courage to the defect of grace , to be more vngracious .

Nothing is lawfull but that which tendeth to the glory of God , and profit of man in comelin●sse : so that the end of all ioy and myrth , must be to glorifie the Creator .

Those pleasures of the body & mind which are of good report , are indifferent if modestly vsed : honest exercise doth much relieue the debilitie of nature , and quicken the dull spirits , which would else be depressed and ouerladen with moderate labour . Idlenesse is to be condemned as the bel-dame of all euil : but idlenesse is not onely in doing nothing , but also in doing things vnprofitable . Eschew euill , and do good : it is not inough to abstaine from euill , but we must do good also .

Some Playes , as they are now in vse , are scandalous Lust●ull Comedies hurt●ull ▪ Briefe Chronicles honourable , if circustances , &c. and scurrillous , detract from Vertue , & adde to Vice , and the very May-games of all sin and wickednesse : for , for the most part , they haue nothing in them but scurrillitie , or some grosse shewe of doltishnesse , to make the sinfull mouth of laughter to gape , and often sporting at that which should rather moue pittie and compunction : Stages of desolutenesse , and baites to entice people to lightnesse . For is not Vice set to sale on open Theaters ? is there not a Sodome of filthinesse painted out and tales of carnall loue , adulterie , ribaldrie , leacherie , murther , rape , interlarded with a thousand vncleane speeches , euen common schooles of bawdrie ? is not this the way to make men ripe in all kinde of villanie , and corrupt the manners of the whole world ? And there wanteth no Art , neither to make these bawdie dishes delightfull in taste . For are not their Dialogues puft vp with swelling wordes ? are not theyr arguments pleasing and rauishing ? and made more forcible by gesture and outward action ? surely this must needes attract the minde to imitate such vices as are portrayed out , whereby the soule is tainted with impietie : for it cannot be , but that the internall powers must be moued at such visible and liuely obiects . And principally , youth are made pliant to wantonnes & idlenes , and the tender buddes of good maners vtterly rooted out . And many times ( which is most sinfull ) intermixe A sinfull mixture . the sacred words of God , that neuer ought to be handled without feare and trembling , with their filthy and scurrillous Paganisme : is not this abhominable prophanation ? is not that humble reuerence of the oracles of God , hereby blasphemed , and basely scorned ? is this fit to be suffered where Christ is professed ▪ must the holy Prophets and Patriarkes be set vpon a Stage , to be derided , hist , and laught at ? or is it fit that the infirmities of holy men should be acted on a Stage , whereby others may be inharted to rush carelesly forward into vnbrideled libertie ? doubtlesse the iudgement of God is not farre off from such abusers of diuine mysteries : as wee haue an example in E●sebi●● , lib. 8. to this effect , of a certaine Poet , who mixing the word of God in a Heathinish Play , was suddenly smitten blinde for his prophanenesse .

Furthermore , there is no passion wherwith the king , the soueraigne maie●tie of the Realme was possest , but is amplified , and openly sported with , and made a May-game The State many times is ●gregiou●ly wronged , and the vulgar ●ort d●rided . to all the beholders , abusing the state royall , mocking the auntient Fathers and Pastors of the Church ; and albeit the holy Ghost vouchsafeth them many faire tytles , and honourable Epethites , yet notwithstanding they are so impudent , as to traduce them on the Stage , and imploy them in base offices : for looke what part is more scornfull then other , is imputed vnto them . Must not this breede contempt to them and their places , and impeach so holy a function ? no doubt yes . For when the faults and scandalls of great men , as Magistrates , Ministers , and such as hold publike places , shall be openly acted and obiected to the sences , or faigned to bee replenished with vice and passion , it must needes breed disobedience , and slight regard of theyr authoritie , whereof ensueth breach of lawe , and contempt of superiours : there neede not bee a quickening , or calling backe againe of the scapes of such men , to make them odious and contemptible , for euerie fault they commit , be it as smal as a pibble , yet is it so big as a mil-stone , because they stand in the gaze of the world , and soone spyed if they offend neuer so litle .

Vetus comaedia . This Vetus comaedia was inuented to good purpose , the subiect , matter of morall documents , the assembly , the Senators and chiefe Cittizens : and as Tully calleth them , Humanae vitae speculum , a glasse of mans life : for when they represent the acts of vertuous men , time , Auntient Comedi●s , abstacles of Vertue . place , and persons considered , they are ( deemed by some to be ) sufferable , and that for this cause , when as the comely deedes of good men are feelingly brought to remembrance , it cannot but moue other to imitate the like goodnesse : or on the other side , when the spots and errours of our life , shall be acted to our owne shame , it is impossible that we should be content to be such , and not loath our owne euill , as when a bragging Thraso , a strutting Philopolimarchides , a double dealing Parasite , or such mad humours as raigne in common disorder , dsplayed according to decorum , no spectator but is driuen to prye into himselfe if hee haue the like faultes or no : for I thinke verily that no man will allowe such abhominable actions in himselfe , when they are so visibly painted out in other .

And albeit some benefite might come if circumstances were obserued , yet now is it farre otherwise , for these moderne Playes , wherewith the world is now so pestred , are altogether made vpon lasciuious arguments , and serue as the very Organs & Instruments to vanitie ▪ the honour due to God , and reuerence to man , is laid aside , Vertue disroabed , and Vice exalted ; and in stead of morallitie , fictions , lies , and scurrillous matter is foysted in , and is cunningly conueied into the hearts of the assistants , whereby they are transformed into that they see acted before them : for the rusticke & common sort , are as Apes , that will imitate in themselues , that which they see done by other . Or if they stuffe their Scene with some one good precept , or well-worded instruction , what power hath that to moue to Vertue ? when it is immediately prophaned with their exorbitant foolerie , as pure water in a foule and muddie cesterne .

The indicorum of Poets , & greedinesse of Historians , iumping in one simpathy , haue changed the intendment of the former ages .

Hor. in art● poetica . For as Menander in Greece , which is thought to bee the first inuenter of Comedies , Aeschilus , or Thespis , the deuiser of Tragedies , aymed at Vertue in blazing out the deeds of honestie , with graue and sober termes , which indeed were rude & imperfect , by reason of the infancie of the time , vntil they were afterward adorned with the Quintill ▪ lib. 10. choice flowers of Sophocles and Euripides , of whom it is doubted whether is the better Poet.

These did labour by modest delight , to drawe men by example to goodnesse : neither can I imagin , but that they obserued many particulars , as well in the choise of their Auditorie , as of good matter , without greedie desire to multiply excessiue gaine , and no doubt were played priuately in their Accademies , at some set times , at which were present the chiefe Burgomaisters , Senators , and graue Fathers of the citie .

But if we oppose our quotidian Enterludes to them of former time , and consider the multitude of ours , with the paucitie and fewnesse of theirs , wee shall see a great diuersitie as well in the method of writing , as in the time , place , and company : for now nothing is made so vulgar and common , as beastly and palpable folly : lust , vnder colour of loue , abstract rules artificially composed , to carrie the minde into sinfull thoughts , with vncleane locution , and vnchaste behauiour , as groping , colling , kissing , amorous prattle , and signes of Venerie , whereby the maidenly disposition is polluted with lust , and moued to impietie .

Againe , if a man will learne to be proud , fantasticke , humorous , to make loue , sweare , swagger , and in a The documents of Playes . word closely doo any villanie , for a two-penny almes hee may be throughly taught and made a perfect good scholler : so that publike Sermons are made of all kinde of naughtinesse , and the bridle of wicked libertie laid on euery mans necke : and herein standeth their glory , if by pleasing the vulgar opinion , they gaine a plaudite , at which they streake their plumes , & spread theyr pride .

Wisedome doth euer mistrusti● selfe . When Phosion had made an eloquent oration before the people , and seeing them clap their hands for ioy , questioned such as were next him , if he had vttered any foolish and vnseemly thing : teaching vs by this , that we ought alwayes to suspect the rude multitude , for that their weake iudgements can hardly discerne betweene Vice and Vertue , and their affections so dull , that they commonly embrace the cuill in stead of good .

In like maner Hippomachus hearing one of his schollers praised for his fidling , bad him cease playing , for he was sure there was some great errour in the fingering , that hee was so applauded of the ignorant : what true glory then can they iustly merit , that are praised by the witlesse and braine-sicke multitude ? And as these copper-lace gentlemen growe rich , purchase lands by adulterous Playes , & not fewe of them vsurers and extortioners , which they exhaust out of the purses of their haunters , so are they puft vp in such pride and selfe-loue , as they enuie their equalles , and scorne theyr inferiours .

The common spectators and Play-gadders . Now the common haunters are for the most part , the l●audest persons in the land , apt for pilferie , periurie , forgerie , or any rogorie , the very scum , rascallitie , and baggage of the people , theeues , cut-purses , shifters , cousoners ; briefly , an vncleane generation , and spaune of vipers : must not here be good rule , where is such a broode of hell-bred creatures ? for a Play is like a sincke in a Towne , wherevnto all the filth doth runne : or a byle in the body , that draweth all the ill humours vnto it .

For what more fitter occasion to summon all the discontented people together , then Playes ? to attempt some execrable action , commotions , mutinies , rebellions , as it hapned at Windham in Norff. in the time of Ed. the 6. where at a Stage Play ( according to a drunken custome there vsed ) the horrible rebellion of Ket and his complices , by a watch-word giuen , brake out , to the trouble of the whole kingdome : and doth it not daily fall out in common experience , that there is either fighting , whereof ensueth murther ? robbing and theeuering , whereof commeth hanging ? or spotting the soule with wickednesse , that he becommeth the very sonne of Beliall ? and are they not growne odious to good men , and ill reported of ? are these indifferent to bee vsed ? nay verily , if a man loue his owne safetie , he ought to withdrawe himselfe from such vaine spectacles .

Playes in the night , very hurtfull . But especially these nocturnall and night Playes , at vnseasonable and vndue times , more greater euils must necessarily proceed of them , beeause they do not onely hide and couer the thiefe , but also entice seruants out of their maisters houses , wherby opportunitie is offered to loose fellowes , to effect many wicked stratagems . In a word ( as they are now vsed ) they corrupt good manners , and set abroach the vessell of all vncleanenesse ; the eare is tickled with immodest speeches , the minde imprinted with wanton gesture , and the whole affections rauished with sinful pleasure : in so much as many leaue their honest callings , liue idlely , and gadde to those places where the diuel displayeth his banner , liuing so long vpon the spoile of other men , till at last they are eaten vp by Tyborne . Nay many poore pincht , needie creatures , that liue of almes , and that haue scarce neither cloath to their backe , nor foode for the belley , yet will make hard shift but they will see a Play , let wife & children begge , languish in penurie , and all they can rappe and rend , is little inough to lay vpon such vanitie . Neuerthelesse some will obiect they are necessarie , and fit to be allowed in pollicie : and why so ? because they are meanes to occupie idle people , and keepe the worser sort from worser exercises : for if Playes were not ( say they ) some would to drunkennesse , some a whoring , others to dice , cardes , riotting , and such vile practises , which by Playes is all preuented . This proueth them as lawfull in London , as the common Stewes in Rome , or Venis : for is this a sencible reason , that of necessitie one sinne cannot be pulled downe , but an other as bad or worse , must be erected in stead of it ? it is no sound argument , to dispence with one to eschew the other , and so by shunning Carribdis , fall vpon Scilla : but how shall we spend the time ? as though there were no exercise to be vsed , but that that leadeth to mischiefe . Time flyeth away apace , and therfore we are commanded to redeeme the time , seeing we haue but too much , when we wilfully loose and abuse it . Idlenesse is a sinne great inough of it selfe , though it haue no nourishment by sinfull games and sports : but doubtlesse if the cause were remoued , the effect would soone cease , and the time bee spent in more honest endeuours , and by litle and litle ( the lawe obserued ) the men would be wained from such intollerable abuses .

Others will belch out this blasphemie , that a man may edifie as much at some Play , as at a Sermon : this I easily graunt , if so be when he goeth to Church , he leaueth his heart at home ; or at least it is so ●lintie , that no good thing will penetrate , the diuell sitting at the elbowe , and eyther rockes him a sleeepe , or amazeth the minde with wandring thoughts : so that filling a place as a Cipher in augrime , heareth a buzzing sound in his eares , but is neuer truly toucht in his heart . Beside , the affections are not alike : for at a Play the whole facultie of the minde is altogether bent on delight , the eye earnestly fixed vpon the obiect , euery sence busied for the time , the eare narrowly waiteth to catch that that is vttered , sending it to wit : wit to reason : reason to memorie , which locketh it vp in a clozet , least it slip out againe : the diuell in the meane time like a quiet fellow , doth not trouble the affections with strange delusions ; and why so ? because they are occupied in his worke . Furthermore , a man is not wearied be it neuer so tedious , because they doo not onely ( as I say ) feed the eare with sweete words , equally ballanced , the eye with variable delight , but also with great allacritie doth swiftly runne ouer in two houres space , the dooings of many yeares , galloping from one countrey to an other , whereby the minde is drawne into expectation of the sequell , and carried from one thing to an other with changeable motions , that although hee were vnacquainted with the matter before , yet the cunning Art hee seeth in the conueyance , maketh him patiently attend the Catastrophae : when as at a Lecture and holy exercise , all the sences are mortified and possest with drowsinesse : so that by this then we may see our corrupt nature , and the sore that runneth ouer the whole body ; for the minde is nothing so tentible at a good instruction , nor the eare so audible , as at a vaine and sportiue foolerie : ô how dull is the affections to the one , and how prompt to the other ! how the tongue will itterate and repeate the one with great ioye , and smoulder vp the other in drowsie melancholye .

Many well gouerned Common-wealths , did not onely note them to bee infamous persons that acted them , excluding them from offices , and giuing testimonie in causes crimminall , but also supplanted and beate downe Theaters and common Play-houses , least any things should be imprinted in the peoples harts against honestie .

Licurgus banished all Players , Pypers , Sophisters , &c.

Ouid for his wanton Ars amandi , was exiled by Augustus .

Iuuinall , as an instrument of obscenitie and bawdery , was driuen out of his countrey , because by their wanton Elegies , they made the mindes obsequies to loose liuing .

A good old father being demanded what he thought of Playes and idle Poetrie : answered , they were very good to infect young wits with vanitie and needlesse fopperie .

Foule idollatrie in the Heathen . The grossenesse of the Heathen was such , that they dedicated Playes , games , mummeries , maskes , &c. to their Idols , to pacifie their ( supposed ) displeasure . And although there is none but abhorreth such foule Idollatrie , yet the diuell hath such a Heccatombe of sacrifices out of obscene and filthy Playes . To bee short , men ought to recreate themselues comely and decently , and vse ▪ exercises of better report , and lesse hurt : for what saieth Saint Chrisostome to the faithfull of his time ? In no case ( saieth hee ) frequent Theaters , least you bee branded with infamie . It is no small offence ( saieth Ciprian ) for a man to disguise himselfe in the garments of a woman , vnlesse in cases of great necessitie , to saue the life , &c.

And therefore it were to bee wished , that all loue-bookes , Sonnets , and vile pamphles , were burned , and no more susfered to be printed , nor filthy Playes rehearsed , which are the bellowes to blowe the coales of lust , soften the minde , and make it flexible to cuil inclinations : vnlesse first seene and allowed , by some of approued and discreet iudgement .

To conclude , it were further to be wished , that those admired wittes of this age , Tragaedians , and Comaedians , that garnish Theaters with their inuentions , would spend their wittes in more profitable studies , and leaue off to maintaine those Anticks , and Puppets , that speake out of their mouthes : for it is pittie such noble giftes , should be so basely imployed , as to prostitute their ingenious labours to inrich such buckorome gentlemen . And much better it were indeed they had nor wit , nor learning at all , then to spend it in such vanitie , to the dishonour of God , and corrupting the Common-wealth : but he that dependeth on such weake staies , shall be sure of shame and beggerie in the ende : for it hath sildome beneseene , that any of that profession haue prospered , or come to an assured estate .

Hast thou wit , learning , and a vaine to write wickednesse ? adde wisedome to thy wit , and couet to write goodnesse : so shalt thou in stead of cursing , be blessed , and immortally praised of the good and honest . The floud of wittie foolishnes , hath a long time ouerflowne the bankes of modestie , the world is full of idle bookes , and friuolous toyes , neuer in any age was the like : turne thy pen , write not with a goose quill any longer , clense thy wit of grosse folly , and publish things profitable and necessary , new , and good , to the building vp of Vertue and godlinesse .

Againe , is the minde and body wearied with vnreasonable care and labour ? rest , ease , and inoffensiue pastimes , are then most fittest and in season : for we are not created to follow sports and pleasures , and sent into the world to play : but for graue and waightie studies , and to vse honest mirth , when the body is tyred and no longer able to endure trauaile vnlesse it be againe refreshed with some actiuitie , and not otherwise : so that such as spend the time in vaine trifles , gadding after Playes , and idlely runne vp and downe , breake that straight iniunction made by God to Adam ▪ In the sweat of thy browes shalt thou eate thy bread . What whoredomes , drunkennesse , swearing , and abhominable Sodomie is daily practised ? doth it not inuite and call vpon Magistrates to draw the sword of reformation ? do they not crie for vengeance to heauen ? surely there was neuer more filthinesse committed then now , the word contemned , Preachers despised , and a direct opposition against all honestie , that were it not for some fewe that stand in the gap , fire and brimstone would fall from heauen & consume the wicked like Sodome and Gomorrah . For doubtlesse the sins of Sodome , are as rife here as euer they were there , pride , gluttony , cutthroat-enuy , self-loue , vnmercisulnesse to the poore , and such like , and those not priuate : but vnuersall in all places , and amongst most men .

Idenesse the roote of all cuill . The next enemy to Vertue is Idlenesse , a burthen of impediment , a vice so deeply rooted in some , that it casteth them headlong into infernall bondage : the toade out of which issueth nought but drunkennesse , whoredomes , pride , ignorance , errour , blindnesse , beggerie , and a thousand moe miseries . Time is like so many lighted lampes , that with care & diligence ought to be kept with oyle : which with dampish idlenesse are soone put out , and by negligence let fall : for mans life of it selfe is not so short by nature , but it is more shortned by sinne , and the length of time hastened on by iniquitie . The soule is of too fine a mettall and so pure a temper as to loue to do nothing , but wil be imployed in labour ; yet because she is imprisoned in the walles of flesh , followeth her sluggish inclination : the body by too much ease is like a pampered Iade vnseruiceable , and her dexteritie and faculties being made blunt and dull with sloth , becommeth wholy vnfit for honest labour : for if he remit and giue his minde to idlenesse , ill corrupting motions creepe into the soule , which polluting the purer parts , do by little and little carry him to all impietie , vntill the whole man become nothing but the sonne of Belial : by it a wide gap is opened , for adultery to enter in at , and therefore Diogenes was wont to say , by doing nothing we learne to do euil : and lust ( quoth he ) is the trade and occupation of loyterers : and as that grand-maister of wantonnesse Ouid , in his booke Deremedio amors saith ; Osia sit●llas , periere Cupidinis arcus . And it being asked how the Emperour Aegistus became an adulterer , it is answered : Ouid. In prompt● causa est desidi●sus erat .

It is a plaine case he was idle . For if the bodie be not set on worke , the minde goeth astray , whereby this litle world is soone ouerthrowne by the inuasion made against it by concupiscence : as when a man doth fast long The cause of the plague or pe●●●lence . and abstaine from bodily foode , the emptinesse of the stomacke and passages , draweth into the bodie windie humours and infectious vapours , because according to Philosophie , there is no vacuum , but a present supply of ayre : so that often eyther by the disposition of the elements , or by reason of some accidentall cause , the ayre is so infected and poysoned , as it pierceth into the vitall powers , and either bringeth a vniuersall mortalitie , or some lingring disease and sicknesse : so in like manner when the body is kept from corporall labour , and the minde from studious exercise , a fit mansion for don Sathan is prepared , euery roome emptied , and the whole poores and faculties of soule and body really possest with wicked impietie , wherein this grand-traitor to mans happinesse , as in a worke-house forge , or common shoppe , dooth stampe and coine a multitude of euils , and suggest abhominable vices into the heart : for verily none are such fit instruments for him to worke by , then such as liue idlely and do nothing : for where there is no defence to keepe him backe , there dooth hee rule so strongly ouer the affections , that there is no other fruites but a sinfull life , and a shamefull ende : for such as occupie themselues in no commendable exercise , but mispend the time , no maruell though the minde bee vpon vnhallowed actions .

Idlenesse is a capitall plague , a sore vexing the body with extreame torment , and loading the bones till they cracke with weakenesse , pouertie , impotencie , and in the ende leaueth olde age naked and vnprouided for . In a word , nothing is more vnseemely in a Christian , nor more contrarie to the lawe of God , which commaundeth euery one to get his liuing with the sweate of his browes , preiudiciall to humane societie , and iniurious to nature : and therefore Themistocles tearmeth idlenesse the graue and tombe of such men as An idle man is a dead carkasse . are aliue , for that there is no difference betweene an idle man , and one that is dead , for that neither one nor the other doth any good .

Euery one is commaunded to be industrious in that calling wherein hee is set , and earnestly seeke to applie himselfe therevnto , for he that worketh not , is not worthie to eate : but hee that followeth his trade with diligence be it neuer so base or mechanicall , is alwayes sure of competencie and saturitie , when as the luskish and idle notwithstanding their great aboundance , are in short time consumed and come to nothing , as the wise Pron. 14. 30. man saieth : I passed by the field of the slouthfull , and loe it was ouergrowne with bryars , and nettles had couered the face thereof , and the stone wall was broken downe , &c. Yet a little sleepe , a little slumber , a little fowlding the handes together , so thy pouertie commeth vppon thee like an armed man : and as it is in an other place , hee that putteth his hand into his bosome , is like to fall into pouertie .

Some lur-daines that haue wealth left by their ancestors , holde it a poynt of wisedome to rest theyr idle limmes and spare theyr bodies , and liue in the hyue vppon the hunney of others labour , and as vultures kill nothing themselues , but preye vppon that which is killed by other , so like Catter-pillers do they liue by the fruites of other mens labours and sore trauaile .

This kinde of life was so much hated among the Aethenians , that who so was seene idle was seuerely punished . And for this vse , was there Sophronistes and graue Fathers , that had the ouersight and surueighing of the Common-wealth , and most chiefly looked to the manners of youth . Tully reports that none durst walke the streetes of Rome without bearing about him some signe of his profession , least hee should bee impeacht of idlenesse : and in his oration Pro Archita poeta , hee saith of himselfe : What time other men spent in sports , playes , bankets , dice , cardes , tennice , &c. that saith he , I bestowed in poring on my booke : which is vndoubtedly true , for surely had he bene idle and giuen to pastime , as many students are in these dayes , hee could neuer haue bene that notable and excellent summus Orator .

There is nothing so precious as time , which being wilfully or willingly ouerslipt , is impossible to be recalled , The picture of time . for that she is deafe and cannot heare , and therefore she is painted with lockes before , but bauld behind , because holde may be taken in the comming , but her back once past , is irrecouerable , and the lowder she is called , Mora tra●it periculum . the faster she flyeth .

It were a world to note the idlenesse of many in these times , and what multitudes liue with doing nothing ; or at leastwise in doing things vnprofitable and dishonest : yea , what numbers there be both in Citie and Towne , that liue like Drones & idle Grashoppers , as a right wise and honourable Counsellor reported in the Starre-chamber , that in the citie as hee verily was perswaded , there were at least a thousand families that could giue no honest reckening of their life . Some like Aesops labber , sit beating their heeles against a stall , some friske from house to house , as busie-bodies : others in curious obseruations and fault-finding with the gate , apparell , speech , and defects of other , and fat themselues with busie apprehensions .

This peeuish nature is deriued from that olde Witch L●mea hath many childré . Lamea , who as the Poets faine , had broade prospectiue eyes to pull out and in at pleasure , and at her going abroad , would put on and be very curious and circumspect in peering and poring about to see what was amisse in her neighbours house ; but at her return home , would locke them vp in a cap-case , and satte downe to spinning as blinde as a beetle , and neuer sawe what was amisse in her owne house : so in like manner , many both sonnes and daughters she hath , that cram the forepart of the wallet with small defects , when the waight of their owne behinde , is readie to pull them backeward into all contempt : and many female sinners frequent great assemblies for nothing else but to spye out new fashions , of which they make large coments at their returne , neuer rest night nor day , till they be trickt vp with like trumperie , and if they spye a hole in theyr neighbours coate , a moate amisse , a wrinckle awry , then there is to do and to do , and turning it ouer againe and againe , as men ted hay , with wot you what neighbour , such a man is too familiar with his maide , he is a bankerout , an hypocrite , a busie-body ; she is a muddie queane , a filthy beast , a lumpe of kitchinstuffe , and such like : is not here good ware which they offer to sell , to euery ones disgrace ? and thus they passe away the time in vaine and idle obseruations , and vtterly forget to looke into their owne bosome , and prune and correct their owne deformities , which no doubt they should finde laboursome inough to reforme .

Euery day offereth a new occasion to doo good , and therefore no one houre ought to slip away without some profitable thing done : but as Caesar in his Commentaries setteth downe his dicirnall affaires , euery Caesar Com . dayes businesse : so a man must exercise himselfe daily in such things as belong to his calling , and to liue so that his company may bee desired , and by his life to yeeld benefite to the place where he liueth , and not so to liue , as if he were borne onely for himselfe ; but as Plato Plato . saith , for our friends , parents , countrey , and such common duties , which are the finall endes of euery mans labour : but he that regardeth neither of these , his company cloyeth the stomacke , and therefore to be spewed out as an vnprofitable waster . Callings are distinguished into sundry professions , according to the necessitie of the time , because euery man may not onely haue wherein to imploy himselfe , and to benefite others by his trauell , but also to haue helpe by the facultie of his neighbour : yet all come into these two , either in minde or in body , the Magistrate , Minister , and such as holde publique and sacred places , do labour in minde with good counsel , in gouernment and doctrine , which is the more excellent calling : others are manuell or mechanicall , which is the more wearisome & toilsome : without these no common-wealth can stand ; for as it is a great pollicie in maintaining discipline , so is it not a little cherished by other callings . The Husband-men which Tully calleth the best cittizens , in tillage , pasturage , and storing the Realme with graine . It is not equall nor agreeable to nature , for a man to liue prowling and shifting by the labours of other men , and prey vpon their earnings , but to labour himselfe in some calling , that his companie may be enioyed .

The Philosopher did measure out their rest , and inuent meanes to breake their sleepes , and shaking off the drowsinesse of nature , were content onely to refresh the spirits , that the poores might be more pliant to performe dutie .

Cato repented him of nothing he had done in all his life so much as of two things ; one in going by water when he might haue gone by land : the other in passing ouer one day idlely , and doing nothing .

Quint. Cur. Alexander hated it so much , that least it should abate the courage of his souldiers , and raise tumults , kept them occupied in appointing Iudges to trie out such as had shewed themselues most valiant in the warres , to whom he gaue rewards due to their deseruings . Himselfe delighted in the workes of Homer , in so much as he would lay it vnder his head when hee slept , to read in when he awaked .

Domitian would spend the time in catching flyes . Lucullus in building . Diogenes in rowling his Tubbe vp and downe . Marcarius in carrying heapes of stones from place to place . And if we consider the workes , labours , and large volumes of the Fathers , Philosophers , Orators , Historiographers , Poets , and Schoole-men , we may see they made precious vse of time , and by taking hold of opportunitie , left a memory thereof to posteritie .

When Titus had mispent one day , and it was gone before he was aware , cried out , Amice diem perdidi . O my friend I haue lost a day . Appelles would not loose a day without shadowing a phisnomie .

It is remembred of the Emperour Octauian , thatinstructed his sonne in martiall affaires , and his daughter in making cloath , as well to get their owne liuing , if aduersitie hapned , as to keepe them from idlenesse .

Euerie one therefore ought to apply himselfe to some honest businesse , and stirre vp his body and mind to some commendable science : for by labour and exercise , Vertue is purchased , when by dastardly idlenesse the poores become soft and delicate , through which they fall into sports , playes , and immoderate pleasures : and being emptie of all good motions , the diuell soone takes vp his lodging , and keepes open house for all vices : the very rotte and spoile of youth , the summons to beggerie , which like a beadle doth scourge in the ende with the whip of repentance .

Haniball after all his great victories , by idlenesse was was wrapped in delights , and lost his honour .

Alexander at Babilon ouerthrew his glorie and his further hopes by dalliance , and quenched that fortitude and valour with which hee was so really endued .

Sardinapalus was exiled his kingdome through idlenesse and carelesse gouernment .

Time flyeth away with wings , and therefore a wise man will lay holde of her forelockes while it is to day , to inrich the minde with the experiments of those things that bring perfect blessednesse . For it may bee supposed that God would neuer haue put a soule into that body which hath hands and feete , instruments of doing , but that it was intended the minde should set them on worke , and imploy them in action , and not to holde so diuine an essence in the dungeon of idlenesse .

We are borne to labour , as well as the birds to flye . Salomon sendeth vs to the Emet to learne wisedome , to consider her industrie , who like a good Econimist , prouides in Sommer for Winter , whereof Esope affoordeth a pleasant conceited fable : The Ant & the Grasse-hopper ( saith he ) walking together on a sunnie banke , the one piping and carelesly skipping , looked after nothing ; the other circumspect in prying about what prouision was scattered in the way , carefully gathered it vp and carried it to her cabbin , whom the Grassehopper seeing , scorned this needlesse thrift with many bitter taunts : now it fell out , that in short time these two parted , the one to her faire sweetes which the season did yeeld , the other to her labour ; the one respected the time present , thinking the Spring would last all the yeare ; the other time to come , prouiding against the sharpe stormes of frost and snowe . Anon colde winter grew on , and tooke from the Grashopper her wonted moisture , bereft him of his piping , and with his shackle hammes weakely skips too and fro , and beeing pincht wth hunger , and drencht with shewers , went for succour to the Ant , her olde acquaintance , and entreated some teliefe , but the litle worme demaunded what she had done all the Sommer time , she could not prouide for Winter ? The Grashopper answered with a hollow voyce , she sung to delight the passenger : then now you may daunce quoth she , to ease your hunger . With this the Grashopper yeelding to the weathers extremities , foodelesse , comfortlesse , and succourlesse , died without remedie : alluding by the alligorie to such idle and laizie meacocks , who spend the Sommer of youth in wantonnesse , that when the winter of olde age commeth , are forced to want and feele the stormes of penurie , and languish by inferred pouertie . And therefore while time doth offer it selfe , and the body able to endure , it is good to seeke for those things that may bring ioy and comfort to olde age . Neuerthelesse youth doth suppose that God keepeth a court of faculties for them to take vp a dispensation , to runne madding after euery vanitie , hauing as they thinke , so much time as they know not how to spend it : but as the Miller who hauing too much water , openeth his floud-gates and sluces to let it passe : so they think they haue time plusquam satis , more then needs , and therefore vse meanes to spend it by breaking vp the floud-gates of their vaine affections : and least they should be pent vp with too much time , let it vnprofitably runne out , and gather nothing by theyr owne labour , but spoile house , land , and whatsoeuer is left , in banqueting , dicing , hunting , hawking , and carding , which like a bauin giueth a goodly blaze for a while , but is soone out , and in the end glad to warme their nailes with their owne breath , and when frostie age commeth on , the ioynts feeble , the bloud dead , the body colde , and a quiuering paulsey ouer-spread the limbes : oh how faine would he be thriftie , and how nearely doth his want pinch him ! he is forced with the laizie Grashopper to bewaile his state , and repent the losse of time . Oh what goods and possessions did my friends leaue me , which are prodigally wasted ? how often did they seeke to reclaime me with good counsell if I had bene gracious ? and those vices that mustered about my young yeares , how soone might I haue supprest them ? but then being young and foolish , am now olde and beggerly : to whom shall I communicate my griefe , that will yeeld succour ? all my laments are bootlesse , relentlesse , and pittilesse : what a heauie reckening haue I to make , wasting so many idle houres in eating , drinking , ryoting in sports , games , and pastimes , and all my flourishing youth in idlenesse , not spending one houre in his seruice to whom all is due , & now I should finde most comfort in that I haue got so neare my end , a hell of vnquiet torments lye on my conscience readie to sinke me downe to hell . Let youth therefore be warned , and laie holde on the winges of Time while it is to day , least by slipping the tyde of opportunitie they fall into a sorrowfull lamentation when it is too late .

And therfore such old men as are sorrie their youth is gone , it is a sure token they were neuer wise nor gratious , for hee is no wise man that repineth at the most profitable things , for age taketh away the delight of the flesh , the roote of all euill : for there can be no greater plague to mans happinesse then the will of the bodie , which by the priuiledge of youth is subiect to so many indirect courses , destroying the iudgement , and putting out the eye of reason , no communitie with Vertue , but a liuely brotherhood with vice and vanitie : yet some take great glorie to crake of their youthfull acts , and tell many stories of their prankes in former time ; I did this and this saith one , I thus and thus saith an other , I holpe the Priest to say Masse saith a third , and by bragging of their stinking rottennes , and reuiuing their own shame : Suppose they gaine credite for such infamous practises , and commend themselues to posteritie , as men endued The vani●ie of some olde men . with notable exploits , but howsoeuer they boast they glorie but in theyr owne shame , and by sporting at theyr wantonnesse , bewray theyr owne guiltinesse : for if thou hast committed any horrible offence in the time of ignorance , and not repented thy selfe of it in time of knowledge , thou hast giuen consent to thy leaudnesse , and so standest guiltie before God : and therfore the Prophet Dauid praieth God to forgiue the sinnes of his youth .

Licurgus by his lawes forbad young men to play , or goe idlely vp and downe in the Marte or common places , or to be nursed vp in delights and pleasures , but in husbandry and tillage , that in their first yeares they might not taste of idlenesse .

And Zenocrates did vse to diuide the day into parts , reseruing one part for silence , that hee might meditate how to speake : not onely therefore the Realme is prosperously held vp by businesse and labour , but a mans priuate wants supplied , and his domesticke needements maintained : whereas idlenesse ouerthroweth all : and therefore warres in a kingdome are more profitable ( saith one ) then peace , for warres stirreth the minde to Vertue , when peace breedeth idlenesse . And as the Poet saith :

Nam qui desidiam lux●mque sequetur inertem ▪ Dum fugit oppositos incauta mente labores . Turpis inopsque simul miserabile transiget e●●m : At quisqui● duros causus , virtutis amore , Vicerit , ille sibi landemque decusque parabit . For he that giues his minde to sloth , to riotize and ease , And honest labours intermit , his idle limbs to please , Both naked , poore , and miserable , old age on him will cease . But if that he for Vertues sake with labour hard exceed , Mortall fame he purchaseth for this his manfull deed .

How lamentable is it therfore for youth to be ignorant , and defeat theyr mind of the store ▪ house of knowledge , & so iniuriously wrong themselues in the way to blisse ? for ignorance is fearfull , an inconstant passion , base and contemptible , and is soone seduced , because it knowes not how to vse that well it possesseth , but is rash and headie , taking falsehood for truth , Vice for Vertue , not being able to distinguish one from the other ; and by this deceit is carried into errours , omitting all good examples and honest actions : for if the carriage of wise and graue men be not obserued , the minde is clogged with ignorance , not onely not able to direct others in any matter of doubt , but is forced to aske counsell for himselfe in euery trifle . But a foole ( saith Salomon ) is wiser in his owne conceit , then seuen wise men that can render a reason : and drinking so much the water of selfe-loue , doth get such a buzzing in his braines , that managing his businesse by his owne wit , draweth vpon himselfe speedie repentance .

O how soone Vice creepes vpon the affections of youth in the spring of their yeares , if idlenesse slip in : for being intangled in the net of libertie , doth chauke out to himselfe the way to trace in , affecting that which the multitude seeme to allow , be it neuer so contrarie to sound iudgement : and therfore the best inheritance that fathers can leaue to their children , is good bringing vp , as a sure stocke to liue on in oldeage : for to put wealth into the hands of youth before hee haue wisedome to guide it , is as if hee should set him on a young coults backe that was neuer sadled , needs must he dangerously fall , hauing neither wit nor strength to rule him as he ought : or as if hee should put his patrimonic into a ship , and make his sonne Pilot , who for want of skill , needs must suffer shipwracke . And youth is no sooner capable of reason , but by idlenesse the mind is carried into a multitude of vices , like a standing pond that gathereth nothing but scum and filth .

Those parents therefore that put their children to be seruing-men , haue small care of their education , for that they doo not onely mispend the time , but learne such vices as cleaue fast to nature , not easily to be shaken A Seruingmans life an idle life vnl●● he be imployed in some office . off , that many times they are forced to vnlawfull shifts in youth , or begge their bread in age . And Gentlemen incumber their houses with many vnqualified seruants , which deuour and eate much , but get little , and vnder pretence of seruice , do nothing lesse then serue without all contradiction ; it is no charitie to foster such an idle superfluitie of seruants , with that which might better be spent on the blinde , lame , and poore people , then on such which serue for nothing but to beautifie a house and picture and shewe forth their persons . Honor and worship resteth not in keeping many seruants , or riding with a great troup , but in his owne vertue . For though wise men for curtesie , and fooles for simplicitie , do reuerence and salute them , yet are they no whit the more honourable , vnlesse they be iust , temperate , affable , modest , and haue such vertuous properties , & morrall conditions , as that they may be vsed in the Common-wealth , for the seruice of their Prince & countrey .

Many idle persons drop out of Gentlemens houses , who with a frowne of their maister , are turned out of all preferment , not able to get their owne liuely-hood , but constrained through want to follow bad courses , & being out of seruice , fall into offence of lawe , and are many times eaten vp by Tyborne .

And yet some heires of good possibilities , vnder colour of learning ciuilitie , humanitie , and some commendable qualities , are by their parents made Seruingmen , and their young wits so pestered with vice , that they sildome proue good members in the Common-wealth .

To conclude , euery one ought to betake himselfe to some honest and seemely trade , and not suffer his sences to bee mortified with idlenesse : for whom the diuell findeth in that case , hee soone possesseth , imploying him in some damned worke , and wicked practise , and for euer disabling him to be vsed in matters of good consequence .

Sarge igitur duroque manus adsu●sce labori , Det tibi dimensos crastina vt hor a cibos . Raise vp therefore thy lazie limbes , apply thy minde to paine , Both foode and cloath , and all thing else , with ease thou shalt attaine .

Rioting and drunkennesse doth both corrupt the body , and pollute the soule , and is such an extreame madnesse , as it transformeth a man into a beast , sauing in forme and portraiture , putting out the light of vnderstanding , dulling the wits , breeding diseases , hatching whoredomes , vncleannesse , quarels , strifes , &c. which as a chaine , draweth one linke after an other , vntill the linke of wofull wretchednes maketh his death timerous and fearfull by his leaud life : yet notwithstanding so ordinarily practised in most places , as it is scarce noted as a Comunis error facit ius . fault . An euill custome not contradicted , is made currant by long vse , But as the schoole-men say , Bonum quo comunius eo melius : by how much the more common goodnesse is , by so much the more is it prized . So it holdeth in the opposition , the longer a beastly custome is in vse , the more odious and loathsome it is . This cacoethes , or ill custome , vsurpeth such a priuiledge , and incroacheth so vpon the good maners of men , by comming in the habit of honestie , that they are not ashamed to hide their filthinesse with glorious titles , and necessarie colours , as a spurre to quicken the wit , and set The benefit of d●unkennesse . an edge on a blunt capacitie , a whetstone to memorie , a breeder of loue , an enemie to melancholy , a chearing the minde , prompt the conceit , a readinesse to pronounce , and many such : youth that are easily catched with these baites , and tasting the sweetnesse of this sin , are by manhood and age so deepely rooted , that they rather seeke to nourish an ill custome , then to frustrate so abhominable a practise , filling the body full of diseases , emptying the purse of all thrift , and cause them to stumble on theyr graues before olde age come .

Neither can these allegations imputed to this vice , excuse the dangerous effects which proceed of her monstrous deformitie . For as the Poets allude that Medusa could turne men into marble pictures , Circes into swine , so the excessiue vse hereof altereth reason , vnderstanding , and all the poores of the minde , and wrap vp many brutish conditions in a humane shape ; for he that is ouerladen with sensualitie , looseth the vse of all those graces and diuine faculties wherewithall a modest and sober man is possest . And as those properties may holde in part , that is , so long as moderation beareth sway , so once falling into the more , it can no longer stand : for as one may sharpen his knife with grinding , so by too much and often doing it , the edge and mettall may be quite ground away and made blunt ; and therfore Anacharsis , a great wine-bibber , who was choked with a huske of a grape , did notwithstanding preach this doctrine : The first draught saith he , cherisheth the bloud , the next comforteth the heart , but the third inflameth the braine , fumeth into the head , and breedes drunkennesse .

He said moreouer , that the vine bareth three maner of grapes , the first of pleasure , the second of drunkennesse , and the third of sorrow .

O how farre doth intemperance make a man differ from himselfe , and forget the finall ende of his creation , in procuring enemies against his owne happinesse ! O what lamentable Tragedies is by this Vice acted among wine-bibbing companions ! There bee euils inough we bring with vs into the world , and we haue worke inough to holde warre with them , though we procure no more , which are alwayes a temptation to our best parts .

Drunkennesse is no inbred nor inherent sinne , but procured by custome and bad company , it corrupteth the soule , sucketh out the iuice of the body , withereth the beautie , drieth vp the sinewes , and like a canker corrodeth and deuoureth vp all good motions , making that body which should be a holy temple , a habitacle and dwelling house for the diuell : for being ouerladen with wine & gluttonie , the body is so much broken , that as a holy Father saith , it is a wonder that those bodies made of earth and clay , become not myre and dyrt : it stirreth the mind to whoredome , for like twins they are neuer a sunder : Sine cerere & baccho friget venus , without wine and belly-cheare lust would be asswaged , incapable of conceit : for you shall neuer see a drunkard so wel aduised to aske counsell , or with patience marke good documents , but either fleere and laugh it out , or be furious and quarelsome : and therefore Father Cate was wont to say , it was lost labour to talke of Vertue to the belly , for that it hath no eares to heare , because their loose life maketh religion loathsome to their cares . This wine-washing licour giueth such scope and libertie to the tongue , as it rowleth vp and downe restlesse , annoying the whole world with vnnecessarie prattle , running into all degrees , censuring all men , and laying out that openly , which modestie would conceale , powring it into the bosome of his pot-mate : for the tongue of a drunken man , is the clozet of his heart ; and that which a sober man thinketh , a drunkard speaketh . And as by a noise of crowes , one may ghesse where carrion is , so a flocke of drunkards may be found by their words , being so inflamed with the fume and strength of the lycour , as it is impossible to keepe silence . Therefore as Cicero saith , there need no racking to procure confession of the truth , for it may with more ease be gotten by drunkennesse .

And as Homer saith , wine distracteth the wits of a wise man withvoluntary madnesse , and his grauitie is vtterly quenched with indiscretion . A drunken man is so prolixious and talkatiue , as he molesteth all his hearers : if he be in company with a sober man , he wearieth him with talke : if he come to the sicke , he grieueth him more then his sicknesse : if in a ship among passengers , he annoyeth them more then the waues of the sea : so that whersoeuer he commeth , he is troublous and irkesome .

It were one of Herculus labours to describe their seuerall humours , some apt to quarell , if but crost with a word , and not pledged as he would be , & readie to stab , and make wo●ke for the Constable : an other throwes the pot about the house , breakes the glasse windowes with his dagger , and calles his hostise whore : some full of Apish tricks and toyes , sing , hollow , whoope , sweare , and swagger , with such confused disorder , that a sober man comming amongst them , would verily thinke hee were in hell , carowsing healths on their knees , at which great snuffe is taken , if not duly pledged ; and so great indignitie offered , as many times the field is chalenged , where the diuels champions trie their valour , which to some is vntimely warning . Some like swine , wallow in their owne filth , and forced to disgorge and cast vp the superfluitie and excesse , which calleth for vengeance from heauen , for so monstrously abusing the good creatures of God .

And though a drunkard recouer himselfe againe , yet the effect doth still remaine , leauing such a slyme behinde , as defileth both body and soule : yet not a fewe are rocked a sleepe in this brutish desire : but ô beastly and sinful desire , to circumscribe a mans chiefest good within the compasse of his belly , and destroy all those good parts that inhabit about the soule , and suffer the basest part of the body to ouercome the fiue wits . What a madnesse is this , custome getting victorie by little and little , preuaileth so much with some , that they become remedilesse , and haue not only the mappe of drunkennesse drawne on their visage by continuall vse , but the whole man polluted with the essentiall properties thereof . Oh how odious is this vice to God and good men ? and how dooth it putrifie and contaminate body and soule , and yet how plentifully doth it raigne in most places without suppression ? for now all good fellowship is in drinking , and hee is a flincher that will not take his licour , and be drunke for companie .

This riseth from sufferance and too much lenitie : for if drunkennesse be but a May-game , and hee accounted Ale-houses the cruse of much drunkenn●s●e . no good fellow vnlesse hee be a perfect drunkard , no maruell if it be so much practised . But the surplusage of Ale-houses , especially those that ar● kept by vnconscionable and irreligious persons , who make no scruple to open their doores to euerie drunken mate , is no small meanes to multiply a swarme of monsters in the Common-wealth .

Is it not lamentable that a poore man who hath nothing to keepe his charge but his sore labour , spendeth all hee can rap and rend in drunkennesse and ryoting , and his wife & children want that which he leaudly wasteth , and where is the cause but in such base minded people , that for greedinesse of filthy lucre doo suffer them to drinke out theyr eyes , and sweare out their hearts so they may gaine : but let them be assured that hell mouth gapes to swallow vp such greedie accursed monsters , vnlesse they turne with speedie repentance .

It is now growne an exercise and a game of actiuitie , to swill and quaffe much , and he that drinketh most winneth the prize , whereof hee is as proud , as if he had carried an oxe with Milo at the Olympian games . And by your leaue , drunkennesse is too grosse a terme , and deserueth the stabbe . For although all those fine termes and prittie Epithites , which are giuen to that sinne , import as much , yet ( forsoothe ) it must be couered with many sportiue denominations ; otherwise you shall incurre no small displeasure , and bring your selfe into a drunken danger . But let them blinde it so long as they can with neuer so many faire attributes , yet sobrietie and reason will vnmaske and lay them open , to their vtter obliquie : and though they frame this naked excuse , which they alledge as a poore shift to saue theyr credit , that they are not drunke so long as they knowe what they doo , can goe , stand , hold their first man , and keepe a iust reckening of their pottes . But he that drinketh more then will content the want of nature , and falleth into the excesse , though his braine be so well setled as he is not by and by bereft of reason , yet he deserueth no other epithite then a bowsie beastly drunkard .

And when by coaction one shall be vrged either being not a thirst , or his appetite not mouing , the one offendeth in offering , the other in taking : and hence it is so great strife and quarelling ariseth , and so many frayes and field-meetings growe .

Drinking one to an other ( according as I conceiue ) is no other but a participation of loue , and a kinde communication , The vse of d●inking one to an other . as when a man saith , Syr , I drinke to you with all my heart this cup of wine ; being as much as if he should say , all the strength and good this wine shall minister to my body , I am readie to spend it in your seruice , which being gratefully requited by the other , is full of humanitie .

The often bibbing at feasts , breakes the bonds of modes●ie . Some are neuer well but when theyr nose is in the pot , and so are made drunke by accident . Many noysome detracting euils lye hid in the bosome of a drunkard , which breaketh out vpon euery occasion , in so much as he can neuer be at peace , but one torment succeedeth an other ; which as eating vulcers or sores , byte and gnawe continually , neuer suffering body or mind to haue one houres respite for intollerable anguish .

The body I say , is subiect to so much pestilence and rottennesse , as cannot in fewe words be expressed , the face blowte , puft vp , and stuft with the flockes of strong beere : the nose so set out with pearles & diamonds , that by the reflecting beames which they cast from so glorious antiquitie , the bye-standers may see to walk as by a lighted tapor : and the whole body so impaired and shaken Thus doth God pursu● them with his iudgements : some the gallows knits vp , the sword deuour● , the pox , marble● , &c. with goutes , sciaticaes , panges , palsies , appolexies , &c. that for the most part lye vnder the Phisitions hand : who though they liue , yet such life is a liuing death , for Medice viuere est miserè viuere . And being thus surfetted liue disconsolate , and hasten their owne destruction by casting themselues headlong into the bottome of endlesse wretchednesse . For the excellencie of reason being thrust forth of her cabbin by wine ▪ washing excesse , they incidently fall into woe and miserie .

Lot being drunke , committed incest with his daughters . Noah was mocked of his sonnes . Holofernes had his head cut off by a poore woman : for it is an easie thing for the diuel to accomplish his will , if the mind be bent to surfetting . For this is that poysoned fountaine out of which floweth so many maladies , greeuous & long diseases , impostumations , inflamations , obstructions , ventosities , and what not , whereby the mildnesse of nature is disturbed .

And therefore one of the Sages being asked why he refused a cup of wine when it was offered him , because ( quoth h●e ) I take it to be poyson : for this other day when I was inuited to a Feast , I sawe that euerie one that drunke of it , soone after decayed , both in minde and bodie , hauing lost both reason and vse of theyr limbes : and as the Poet saith , Vino forma perit , vino corrumpitur at as .

But these straunge euents happen not simply in respect of the wine it selfe , being in it owne nature good , ( for if it be moderately taken it comforteth the bodie , and cherisheth the minde , strengtheneth the sinewes , and helpeth the eyes : and that was the cause Saint Paul counselled Tymothie to drinke a little Wine ) but only and altogether in the intemperate and immeasurable vsage .

So is it likewise in meates , when one doth gurmandize and feede vpon diuersitie and disguised dishes of manifolde operations . Many accidences arise and diseases growe , and this is by reason of the contrarietie and different natures of those meates , and in the superfluitie and aboundance as the prouerbe saith , much meate much maladie : whereas in simple and vniforme kindes , delight neuer exceedes the appetite : and he that feedeth but of one dish , liueth longer , and is more healthfull then those accidentall dieters & queasie stomackes that glutte themselues with eueric kinde artificially compounded , sometime of easie digestion , then of harde digestion , that many times before one can be concocted , the other putrifieth in the stomacke , and this is verie familiar in common knowledge , that the ploughman that liues by curdes , bread and cheese , and such homely fare , workes harde all the day , and lyeth vneasie at night , is more sounder , healthfuller , and more free of malladies then those fine , nice , and curious dyeters .

Now when the bodie is thus misdieted by surfetting and drunkennesse , it is not only subiect to diseases , and afflicted with torments and incurable laments , whereby it becommeth vnweildie & vnfit for any vertuous exercise , but also draweth the horror and iudgements of God vppon both bodie and soule . How ought men therefore to liue soberly and chastely , and stoppe the abuse of such abhominable Epicurisme : and as wise Cato saieth , Eate to liue , and not liue to eate , like the Epicure , that putteth all his felicitie in Bacchus his belly-cheare .

By this the quicke conceit of the spirit is dulled and made impregnable , the glorious sun-shine of Vertue eclipsed , and all good motions quite extinguished , that a man cannot be saide to be a man , but the trunke or ca●kasse of a man , wherein an infernall spirit in stead of a soule doth inhabite .

Heereby hee becommeth rash-headed and vnaduised , dooing that in haste , whereof he repenteth at leisure .

As Alexander , who in his drunkennesse would sley his dearest friends , and being sober , w ould be readie to kill himselfe for anger : and all those noble vertues and princely qualities wherewith he was endued , were all defaced by the intollerable delight he had in drinking . The famous Citie Persepolis in a drunken humour was burned to ashes , which was no sooner deuised by Thayis the harlot , but was executed with great celeritie : but recouering his wits , repented his folly : for with this spirit is a drunken man alwaies possest to attempt things rashly , to despise good counsel , to vndertake great exployts , but neuer with mature deliberation , vnruly , disobedient , and violating the lawes both of God and man : and lastly , with the foolish Troians , ( sero sapiunt phriges ) be wise when it is too late . If this Hidra infuse her venome into the tendernes of youth , and not crushed downe when it begins to peepe , by killing the serpent in the egge , but suffered to growe ripe , ô how it distilleth into the soule , and pulles downe the whole frame of Vertue , whereby he is cast downe headlong from a high promentarie , into a deepe vgly dungeon : it weakeneth the nature , and maketh them fooles and meacockes , not fit for any imployment .

To giue wine to you●h , is olium igni addere . And therefore the Spartans and Lacedemonians at their great festiuals , would shewe vnto their children drunken men , that by seeing their beastlines they might shun the like practise .

Vinum est quasi remedium aduers●s duritism senectutis largi●●● est . It was a great shame among the Athenians , for a young man to haunt tauernes or common tap-houses : in so much as on a time when a youth beeing in a tauerne , and seeing Diogenes come towards him , shifted into an other roome for feare he should see him . Nay quoth he , stay young man , the more you goe in that way , the further you goe into the Tauerne . If Diogenes or Polemon liued in these daies , they should haue wo●ke inough to sweepe youth out of Tauernes and Ale-houses , being now traded vp in it , as in an occupation .

If we see a man often frequent the Phisitions house , we by and by suspect his health , and suppose he is not well , his body out of temper , and some infirmitie breeding : so when wee behold one often to repaire to such places of ill note , we may censure him , and safely conclude his wits are distracted , and daungerously infected with Opprobrium medicorum .

Neuerthelesse , leaud company is the ouerthrow of many good wits , which otherwise be ingenious , and of a liuely promptitude to Vertue , getting such vices in an houre , as tarrieth with them many dayes : for bad company is as a stench about a man that annoyeth the sence . And as cleare christall water is corrupted if it fall into a a stinking puddle , so a vertuous minde is stained with the leaud vices of loose liuers : and therfore no man can be freed of the effect , till he shun the cause : for conuersing with naughtie people , the good disposition is soonet infected with their euill maners , then the bad reformed with their good conditions . For as by a contagious ayre the soundest bodies are soonest infected , so the tender and greene capacitie is soone violently carried away into all voluptuousnesse . For as it is impossible to holde the hand in the fire , and not be burnt , so can hee not hold fellowship with bad companie , but hee must needs be the worse .

Euery creature keepeth a due course and order : the Sunne like a ramping Lyon , runneth about the Sunt septem ste●●● , in humero tauro . world with a swift reuolution : the Moone knoweth her sitting downe and rising vp : the Pleiades keepe their stations : the Starres goe their circuit : the earth , the sea , and euerie creature keepe theyr time , onely man is out of frame and temper too , and euerie part disioynted , the naturall impediment is the verie bane and putrifaction of the soule . O how hard is it then to pull out those weedes within , which like rebels hold a continuall warre against all good motions : a greater victorie is it therefore to ouercome a mans owne selfe , then to conquere a citie : for he that vanquisheth an enemie , mastereth but flesh and bloud , but hee that can humble his pride and rule his passions , ouercommeth the diuell : the one is but the sonne of man , the the other the sonne of God .

Dauid could cut off the head of Goliah , yet was not able to tame his owne affections .

Sampson could slaie the Philistines with a iaw-bone , and yet was made a slaue to Dalilath .

In like manner the Poets ascribe to Hercules many incredulous labors , as in killing the snake of Learna , maistering the wilde bull of Aramanthus , clensing Domedes stables , killing the Centaures , and such toilsome works , Ouid Metam . that his taske-mistresse Iuno was faine to crie out , Defessa sum iubendo , and yet for all this was conquered by lust , and made spinne on a rocke by Omphila , with womens garments .

So that by this we may see , that it is more difficill to quench the raging lust of concupiscence , and chase away the corruption of nature , then to do these wonderfull labours . Which thing Cicero in his Oration Pro Marcello dooth well remember , speaking to the Emperour : O Caesar ( saith hee ) thou hast subdued kingdomes , subiected nations , tamed the Barbarians , and brought them vnder the Romaine yoake , and by thy matchlesse and heroicall spirit , hast made the Capitoll ring of thy glorious triumphes : yet notwithstanding , to beate downe ambition , to bridle furie , to temper iustice with mercie , to be humble in maiestie , and conquer the vnruly passion of the minde , hee that can do this , Non ego eum cum summis viris comparo , sed simillimum deo iudico . I do not onely compare him with the best men , but I thinke him rather a God .

By this it is manifest , that this Annarchie , this rebellion that is in nature , cannot so easily bee bridled and kept from rushing into disorder , but by execution of lawes : and to this ende is the Magistrate set vp , and the sword of Iustice held out , to tame the vnrulinesse of nature .

Now therefore the whole felicitie of man standeth in temperance , and in quelling those boyling lusts that set themselues against the noblenesse of Vertue .

Epictetus giueth two rules , to beare , and forbeare ; by the first , patiently to beare aduersitie , and the bitternesse of Fortune : by the second to flye concupiscence , and abstaine from the will of the flesh ; and these are the two pathes leading to Vertue . To conclude , there is no true ioy without Vertue , this is perfect honour & true nobilitie : she offereth herself freely to euery man , she denieth none , but is open and ready to all that will seeke her , and doth neither require house , land , orworldly wealth , but is content with a poore naked man : and therefore seeing that all is vaine without her , it is a shame to desire glory by riches or birth , and not rather deserue it by his owne vertue . For he that is therewith possest , is famous in earth , glorious in the graue , and immortall in heauen , according to the Poet :

Omni● roscidulae quacunque sub orbe Diana Vivunt , sunt fatis interitur a suis Virtus sola , mori diuorum munere nescit , Cumque suis musae vatibus vsque manent . All things that vnder Dians sphere doth liue , or draweth breath , To fatall chaunge are subiect sure , and vnto greisly death : But Vertue onely with the gods remaines immortall aye , Where her religious followers do liue in happie staye .

By Vertue the famous Camilli , Fabij , & Scipiones , are mounted vp aboue all earthly weaknesse , & a memorie of their noble vertues commended to posteritie . For there is nothing in this world of so great price , and which causeth more to augment , then the trade of good manners . For by this meanes , not onely fathers of families haue taken a domesticke forme of regiment in theyr houses , by good order keeping , but also Kingdomes , Common-wealthes , and publique affaires , doo hereby flourish , and are happily maintained . And for this cause I haue willingly aduentured to moue and stirre the mind therevnto , and that with a zealous affection . And although I haue taken vpon mee a thing very vnfit for my rude and small vnderstanding , yet I doubt not but the honest and vertuous will gratifie and approuc this my simple endeuour : especially because they more esteeme the preciousnesse of Vertue , then the pompious glorie of Vice : wherein they obserue the counsell of the wise Heathen , who wisheth that no man should despise the simple labor of an other man , especially if he speake good words , and giue no offence to the weake . And this was Platoes diuine institution amongst many other soueraigne decrees , that it is needfull in euery Common-wealth to prescribe and giue order that it be not permitted to any man to publish any thing hee hath composed , except it be first perused and allowed by indifferent Iudges therevnto assigned . If this iniunction were duly obserued , so many leaud bookes , vaine pamphlets , and scurrillous ditties would not so easily passe , neither would idle wits bend themselues to write . For now through the abundance of naughtie bookes , wee are greatly endamaged , for by learning the sound doctrine of good men , the basest and blindest manner of writers is most-what approued . From this spring or fountaine is risen this mortall and monstrous infection before noted .

Neither is this all , for there is a naturall rebellion , which like a sore runneth ouer the whole body : so that if the ground of the heart be not fallowed and ploughed vp , and good seede sowne therein , the happinesse and felicitie of man is choked hith weedes , and poysoned with Hemplocke , iniquitie hath gotton the vpper hand so farre , that if we looke into the monstrousnesse of sinne in this age , we may see euery abhomination sport it selfe , as though there were no God . Drunkennesse is good fellowship . Whoredome and adulteri● , youthfull prankes : Swearing , the fire of manhood : Hypoc●isie , deceit and cousonage , a common practise . In a word , there be too many whores , too many knaues , too many brothel ▪ houses , too little labour , too much idlenesse , too many Ale ▪ houses , too litle loue , too much hate , too little deuotion , and too much hard-hearted Christianitie . But I speake not this to derogate ought from the diligence of any . Neuerthelesse , it were to be wished , that more care were had to execute Iustice on such grieuous malefactors . If I haue done well to note what is amisse , thou shalt doo much better to mend the abuse .

Or if it be ill and of little worth , If thou canst do better , I pray set it forth .

Finally , the consideration of these abuses before named , ought to stirre vp both superiour magistrates , and inseriour officers , to aduance Vertue , and reforme Vice : because as the one begetteth most heauenly things in this earthly world : so is the other the ouerthrowe of all happinesse , both here and in the life to come . The Minister of the word therefore is not exempt from this labour , for as he is the Phisition of the soule , so is hee to watch ouer the sicke patient ; not so much to attendere famae & corpori , as to negligere salutem ecclcsie , to be olde in yeares , and young in knowledge : to couet to be rich in purse , and poore in charitie : to purchase pleasures , build great houses , and shewe no fruites by the sequell and euent that they worthily enioy their dignities : as many do in this age that stand in a spiritual place , are notwithstanding meere temporall men , and so rooted in the slesh , as they yeeld no fruites at all of the spirit : but they ought for care , conscience , and in a godly zeale , holding sacred places , to labour earnestly and officiously , to suppresse those horrible euils that are so vsuall and commonly practised ; that by this , sinne and wickednesse may be abolished , the true seruice of God maintained , to his owne glory , the good of his Church , and the happy and peaceable gouernment of this honorable Citie .

FINIS .