Wits common wealth The second part. A treasurie of diuine, morall, and phylosophicall similies, and sentences, generally vsefull. But more particularly published, for the vse of schooles. By F.M. Master of Arts of bot Vniuersities.

Perseuerance.

AS it doth not profit to haue sailed succesfully and prosperously a long voyage, if at length wee make shipwracke in the Hauen: so it profi∣teth not to haue liued religiously with∣out finall perseuerance. L••douicus

Granatensis lib. 2. Ducis Peccatorum.

Euen as a student in the liberall sciences, if he daily make progresse in good letters, and diligently frequent the Schooles, in a very short time commeth to the perfection of the arts he studieth: so on the contrary part, he that often and much intermitteth and breaketh off his study, either very late, or neuer becommeth learned. idem lib. de deuot.

As hee that hath a iourney to goe, must not sit downe in the midst of his way, and there leaue off: so hee that trauelleth to heauen, must not only be∣gin to liue honestly, but must continue so till death. Chrysost. hom. 4. ad Ephes.

As a Rhetorician doth not onely be∣gin his oration, but also doth end it: so a Christian must begin in vertue, and end in vertue. Idem hom. 24. ad Hebraeos.

As that physicke is vnprofitable, which doth not restore the sicke to health: so that life well lead is to no purpose, which doth not so continue to the end. Ibidem.

As that debtour doth not satisfie his

••reditour that payeth part, but hee ••hat payeth all: so hee doth not please God that giueth part of his life vnto him, but he that bequeathed all. Greg. ••ib. 22. Moral. cap. 6.

As no man obtaineth victory, but he ••hat goeth thorow stitch: so no man ••ttaineth vnto the glory, but hee that ••••ontinueth in vprightnesse vnto the ••nd. Ibidem.

As that seed is sowne in vaine where∣of the reaper filleth not his hand in the ••••ruest: so an honest life is ill begun, and to no purpose; except it perseuere vnto the end. Caesarius Arelatensis▪ hom. 25.

As light is necessary for corporall eyes, that they may enioy their end and ••vse: so perseuerance i•• necessary for all them, that are predestinated and called to the Kingdome of Heauen. Laurentius I••stinianus cap. 1. de perseuerantia.

As the eye is opened in vaine with∣out the light: so hee runneth in vaine, that doth not preseuer to the end of his life. ibidem.

Hard stones are pierced with soft drops, great Oakes hewne downe with

many blowes: so the stoniest heart is mollified by continuall perswasions, or true perseuerance.

As no beast without a taile was of∣fered vnto the Lord: so wee cannot offer vp our selues vnto God without perseuerance. F. Ioannes à S. Gemi∣niano lib. 10. de actibus & moribus humanis, cap. 61.

It is said a Pecocke hauing lost her taile, is ashamed to shew her selfe to a∣ny body: so without perseuerance no man shall dare to appeare before God in iudgement. ibidem.