The sinners guyde A vvorke contayning the whole regiment of a Christian life, deuided into two bookes: vvherein sinners are reclaimed from the by-path of vice and destruction, and brought vnto the high-way of euerlasting happinesse. Compiled in the Spanish tongue, by the learned and reuerend diuine, F. Lewes of Granada. Since translated into Latine, Italian, and French. And nowe perused, and digested into English, by Francis Meres, Maister of Artes, and student in diuinitie.

¶ The second instruction.

BY that we learne also, to what vertues we ought most espe∣cially to addict our endeuours and studies; vpon which we ought to bestow greater diligence, and vpon which lesser: as men doe, who make greater account of an heape of gold, then of siluer; and doe more esteeme an eye then a finger: so also it is meete and requisite, that with greater endeuour and diligence we should apply our selues to the woorthier vertues, and vvyth lesser to the lesse worthy: otherwise, if we more diligently stu∣dy, and imploy our paines rather vppon the ignobler then the noble, the whole spirituall busines will be disordered. Where∣fore I say, that those Bishops and Pastors do very wisely, that in theyr pulpits and Sermons doe often beate vpon these wordes; Silence, Fasting, Solitarines, Rites and Ceremonies, and that often stand vpon, and preach Charity, Humility, Prayer, De∣uotion, Contemplation,* 1.1 the Feare of God, the Loue of our Neighbour, and such like. And this ought to be done so much the more often, by how much the inward defects are more se∣cret

thē the outward: and therefore rhe more dangerous. For euen as men are more diligent to amend defects that are seene of them, then those that are vnseene: so it is to be feared, that they haue no care of inward defects, which are not seene, al∣though they are most diligent in outward, which are publique, and openly discerned. Furthermore, the exteriour vertues, as they are more manifest vnto men, so also they are better known and had in greater esteeme; as are Abstinence, Watching, Di∣scipline, & corporall austeritie. But the interiour vertues, Hope, Charity, Humility, Discretion, the Feare of God, and the Con∣tempt of the world, are more occult and hid: and therefore al∣beit they be in greater honour with God, yet they are not so va∣lued in mans iudgement.* 1.2 And therefore our Sauiour sayth; Yee are they that iustifie your selues before men, but God knoweth your harts. Not dissonant to this, is that of Paule; Hee is not a Iewe which is a Iew outward.* 1.3 Neyther is that circumcision which is out∣ward in the flesh. But he is a Iew which is one inwardly, and the cir∣cumcision of the hart, which consisteth in the spirit, and not in the letter, is circumcision, whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Seeing therefore, that those externall are in so great estimati∣on among men, and are so admired of all, and the appetite of selfe honour and excellencie is so subtill, and the most power∣full of all the appetites, it is to be feared, least that affection draw a man rather to loue and seeke after those vertues, by which greater honour is expected, then those, by which lesser: yea perhaps among men none. For to the loue of these, the spirit inuiteth, but to the loue of the other, the spirit and the flesh in∣uite together, which is exceeding vehement, and most vnpati∣ent in her desires. Which seeing that it is so, not without cause it is to be feared, least these two affections should ouer-come that one, and should carry the victory from it. To thys mis∣chiefe the light of this doctrine opposeth it selfe, which defen∣deth and patronizeth a iuster cause, and notwithstanding these, commaundeth place to be giuen to this, which deserueth more: admonishing vs, that we loue that, and embrace it with greater feruency, which is more profitable, and more necessary.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Internall vertues lesse known thē externall.
• * 1.2

  Luke, 16,
• * 1.3

  Rom. 2,