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ANd yet some thinges there are whiche of their owne natures are hurtefull to those that re∣quest the same: which it is more fréend∣lines to denie then to graūte. Wherfore in passing our graunt, we are to weygh aswell the profitte as the sati••fienge the minde of the requesters. For many ti∣mes we make earnest pursute after thin¦ges
that are harmeful to vs, and can not of our selues discerne howe pernicious they are for vs, for that our blind affectiō for the time, dimmeth the clerenes of our iudgement. But so sone as that heat beginneth to slake, when that burnynge desier whiche erst vanquished discrecion is some what quaild, we our selues then dislike and detest the counsailours and fortherers of those euilles. For as wée should not geue colde water to him that is in the fyt of a shakyng agewe, nor we: pon to hym that is besides his wittes, no more ought we to graunt the request of euerye one by and by that humblie, ernestly, with compassion and pytye de∣sireth some thinges of vs? For Reason would that we shold take as good regard to thend as to the beginninges of suche plesours as we are to doo: and that wée should geue such thinges wherby a man may take plesour not onely when he re∣ceiueth them, but afterwarde also. But some one will saye to himself perhapes,
well. I know that that whiche suche one desireth of me shall not aduauntage nor plesour him, but hurte and hindar him & yet what should I doo? He requesteth it of me so earnestly that I maye not saye him nay. Let him sée to his owne safe∣garde, he shall not haue cause to blame me. This opinion is verye fals, yes ma∣rye shall he haue cause to blame thee, and that woorthelie. For when he shall be better aduised on the matter, and that the hoat fit of his shalbe qualified, whye shoulde he not hate hym that in his time of follye forthred him to catche his bane? To geue the assent to harme one, is crewell pytye. And as it is a verye cha∣ritable acte to saue them that through follies rage woulde without naye mis∣cheue and destroye and vndoe themsel∣ues, so is it to graunt hurtful thyngs to eche manne for the askynge, as sygne apparaunt of pitiefull crueltie. Let vs endeuoure to geue suche thynges that the longar they are enioyed and kepte
the more plesaunt and profitable they maye appere to be, and neuer fayle of their goodnes. My money will I not ge∣ue to an adulterer, for that I woulde not séeme to be a fortherer of his wickednes. But if I know preciselye suche follye to haue place in him, I will what I maye disswade him from it. Neither woulde I geue it to a common quarreller nor one that hath no staye nor gouernement of himself, for feare that an other daye he saye Suche one by louing me ouermuch and to tenderlye vndid me.
Confide raciōs to be had in doing ou•• benefites