False complaints. Or The censure of an vnthankfull mind, the labour of Carolus Pascalius translated into English by W.C. A worke very learned and fit for all estates in this age of vnnecessarie discontentments, shewing how all complaine, but all without cause

All the former reasons which concerne mans estate are confuted and he is seriously ad∣monisht, to be thankefull; and to acknowledge Gods be∣nefits, CHAP. 26.

IN the very entrance to this speech: I do obserue thee to bee a glorious boaster of thy vertue, and withall a disdainefull e∣steemer of those things, which God hath wisely done; which things (thou beeing more wise and more prouident then God) desirest might bee o∣therwise. Thus it is manifest how light thou art; how disdainefull and how proude; in one word, thou art vnthankfull, because those thinges are not builte vp∣on any foundation of truth, which are the ground of these words, of these words which are nothing but

wicked thoughts, forged complaints against God, for thou that speakest these thinges, wouldst seeme exceedingly honest and religious; and thy whole la∣bour is in this, that thou maist rather seeme then be so. Neither art thou ashamed to sorrowe that thou wert borne in this age and not long since: and in some other place. Thus the common souldier spea∣keth euill of the Centurion, the Centurion of the Tribune; the Tribune of the Lieftenant; or the Emperour; that he is placed in this station and not in that, as though it were in thy power to determine and dispose of thy selfe, and not in his, vnder whose subiection thou art; who notwithstanding dost not consider (being hindred with an inward blindnesse) how irreligious thou art, for thou canst not desire an other country, nor repent thee of thine owne estate, and condition, but thou must first loath and hate thy owne marke then from the beginning what assurance thou hast giuen of a preposterous and a∣lienated minde.

I would to God thou couldst learne that all ver∣tues of a Souldier consist onely in obedience. O∣bedience is to dare to do nothing but at his command at whose cost thou fightest.

This is the lawe, the religion, the reuerence of of the oath; this is the whole ornament of military discipline; the strength and maiesty of the whole gouernment is built vpon this vertue; the souldier hauing put off obedience is hurtfull and rebellious,

not to hee corrected with the rod of this Captaine, but to be beaten with his truncheon or put to death, as a staine and blemish to the whole army. Take thou heede that thou be not of this infamous marke, whilst thou complainest that thou wert not sent vnto thy standing, in the first, or second, but in the third or fourth watch, thou wishest (thou sayest) that thou hadst beene borne in that (which they call) the gol∣den World barren of vice and fruitfull in all vertue: thus (as thou speakest) thou wishest thy selfe that thou hadst neuer been borne, because no monumēts of antiquity to be credited that euer I read in, taught what time there was such an age. Poets and such i∣dle heades might deuise these things, faire in shewe, and pleasant to bee heard, and feine that vertue was taken out of sight that men might be lesse asha∣med, and acquit themselues if they followed not those vertues, whereof this age is saide to be vnfruit∣full: But for my own part (as I do remember) (when I haue runne ouer al that euer I either read or heard) I cannot determin the space of that excellent world, when it was, wherein vertues reigned not mingled with any vice, the Poet abuseth mens credulity, when he saith. The Latins

The World of Saturne ruled with vniust lawes Vnlike the antient God and times before

the same in other words

First was that golden age, when men without all law Did iust and right vnfeard and vnkept in awe, Punishment and feare were banisht both, All liues were free from danger, Men lawlesse were, and yet were safe, None fear'd the Iudges anger.

This I am sure of, that in man are ingrafted the seeds of vertue and vice; and that vices do their grow lux∣uriously, where vertue is vntilled; and contrariwise, where vertue is seriously and painfully tilled, there vices are kept vnder, worne away, and extinguisht. Therefore all ages haue been laide open to vertue and vice; there was neuer any which brought not forth good men, neuer any that brought not forth badd; nay at all times and in all places there was euer greater plentie of euill, then of vertuous and good men. Let vs not idlely therefore please our eares, with false and emptie things; for those times which we call the old World, that is furthest remo∣ued from this present, euen in those times the hatred of brethren extended vnto death; the father was driuen out of his kingdome by his sonne; the Gy∣ants foolishly made warre with the gods.

To conclude, many other things were committed of those auntient and first men, which faine them∣selues to be born of heauen & earth; by which it ap∣peareth how far this opinion of the amiable simpli∣city, and reuerend innocency of those times differeth

from truth, for surely what prayses soeuer mortall things had, these were not proper to those or to these times, but to those or to these men; neither was there euer any time which in some fort euill men haue not staind, and which good men haue not honored. For the prayses & reproach of the times are from hence, that vertue or vice are more followed. For it delight∣eth men eminent in vertue to liue so longe, as they may be either priuatly or publikely profitable. Ther∣fore that time, wherein they chance to liue, they im∣brace as that station appointed to them, wherin they must stand & watch, frō whence they must incoun∣ter those enemies to this mortalitie; where likewise they must show their vertue, from whence they must neuer depart, vntill this battaile bee fought, and the victorie obtained; therefore the world is an indiffe∣rent place, wherein all things are indifferent to him that placeth his strength in vertue, therefore thou dost ridiculously laye that fault vpon the time, which is thy owne: Awake thy selfe, whosoeuer thou art that outwardly art so fine and in showe so pure; straight way thou wilt bee ashamed of thy inwarde deformitie, Thou shalt see how that in thy manners, there is nothing pure and sincere; how all thinges are counterfeite, staine, and polluted, and withall thou shalt vnderstand, what a trister thou art, in that thou extollest with praise and admiration that aunci∣ent sinceritie, and innocency, from which thou art far•…•…e distant and it is no maruaile, seeing thou dost

not labour to attaine vnto it: thinking it only vertue enough to professe it with thy tongue, and not to ex∣presse it in thy manners, surely seeing there are not stronger motiues to vertue then examples, if wee might wish, wee ought rather to wish to bee borne late, then in these first times, and rather to looke at all those times that haue beene before vs, then to be looked at by those that come after: it is much safer to be taught by the examples of others, then to haue none whom thou mayst imitate and followe. Doubtlesse that learning is more true and certaine, which experience hath brought forth, and collected out of many examples: Doest thou admitte and al∣lowe my counsell? Then take away all those cur∣taines drawne before the truth, accuse not the world and the time, that is all men besides thy selfe, rather looke into the thing, and diligently examine thy own vices, and if thou obserue thy selfe through∣ly, thou wilt confesse that thou art one of the multi∣tude better then none of the rest, and perhaps (which is like) worse then a great number, and to say plain∣ly thou that art so great a talker of vertue, that is so great a trifler, what hast thou yet furthered the com∣mon good, whereby either the staines of this age may bee wiped out, or the prayse of it increast. I see thou art but a mans shadowe, one of a quicke tongue, but of a slowe minde, disputing many thinges, but doing nothing, for the common good; vnlesse peraduenture thou thinkest this same vnquiet

and talkatiue idlenes, in which thou makest a showe of vertue, to be something. If all men thus should thinke it sufficient to commend the times past, and no way to further the aduancement of the present, should not the commendation of this age lye buried and forgotten? Thou sayst, thou art compeld to al∣low things not to bee allowed. What wicked hu∣mor doth thus possesse thee, that so foulely thou dis∣semblest? that if thou seest any thinge to bee done otherwise then well, thou must needes bee a fur∣therer of that, a cōmender of it either in deed, word, gesture, allowance consent or silence? Why doest thou not rather make known to the commonwealth, that there is so much honestie in thee, that no disho∣nestie whatsoeuer can ouerthow it? It is not vertue that which will bend so soone, and yeeld to vice; or lurk neare it. Vertue it is either not at al, or whereso∣euer it is, it is in a high place, if in those places where thou art there be none, showe thy own vertue: If there be any, striue that thy owne may bee more eminent and conspicious. To conclude, laying aside this same sluggish and vnprofitable wisedom, which thou professest, be a powerful exāple of true vertue; if not to many, to a few, to thy selfe alone, least that any man seeing thee exclayme: O smith thou forgest armes for one that is full of slouth: as those that were before, gaue much light vnto thee, so hold thou out some light of this diuinitie to those that come after. In this, neuer regarde what the vulgar sort either

alloweth or disalloweth, but only what becommeth thy selfe; what any graue and wise man may worthe∣ly thinke of thee. Imitate not publike and vsuall man∣ners (no not the auncient in this respect only as they are auncient) but out of both choose that which is best, thus the age wherein thou liuest shall be to thee auncient, or if any thing can bee thought more holy and more pure, then those times that are more aun∣cient, neuer stand vpon other men, other times, or countries.

So make accounte that wheresoeuer thou art, there vertue may make her seate. What place soeuer the Sunne looketh vpon, is fit for this Lady, Soueraine of things: who is so farre from being tyed vnto any place, that she chooseth out sometimes a hollow age eaten rocke as Lucretius calleth it, to bee her natiue Countrie: shee often preferreth cottages and lowe shelters before marble walles, and sumptuous buil∣dinges, and corse garments before purple; whereso∣euer vertueis, it is falsely termed to be a corner, it is a place eminent, and of much celebrity: and if thou hast giuen thy name to vertue, thinke not that thou canst lurke in an obscure corner. He can neuer be•…•… hidde whom vertue bewrayeth: For wheresoeuer thou art, there vertue shall accompanie thee: Thou shalt giue honor and nobilitie to that place: there thou shalt liue in the eyes and the mouthes of all: neither doe I reproue thee that thou art a commen∣der and an admirour of auncient honest sinceritie;

this only I reprooue in thee, that thou art a com∣menderonly, and not a follower, whereas by this meanes alone thou mayst gaine that commendation which thou expectest, which were a thinge much better, then thus as thou dost with auncient and glorious names, to couer thy owne staines, and with those euils whereof thou thy selfe art guiltie, to accuse and burthen the time (a thing most innocēt): thou wilt also be known how careful & circumspect thou art, whilst thou diligently takest heede, least men should follow thee with stones like one distra∣cted, if thou shouldest be seene diuers from others: Indeed I require nothing lesse of thee then that thou shouldest be diuers from the multitude: But I re∣quire that thou shouldest be better; not that thou shouldest be obserued in an vnvsuall habitte, and a singularitie of life, as a contemnor of others, but that in holinesse and vnaffected maners; thou shoul∣dest exceede others.

Thus be as an auncient example to bee looked at; by this euerie man shall esteeme what and howe great thou art, by thee euerie man shall bee stirred vp to chastitie and innocency: and as it is a proud and intollerable thing so to deale, as though thou only, or aboue the rest wouldest bee accounted wise; so there is nothing so foolish, as that vnder∣standing that exceedeth not the capacitie of the Common multitude; but doubtlesse, that wise∣dome hath all the perfections of wisedome in it,

which vnderstandeth & followeth nothing, but that which is right; whether they be allowed or disallow∣ed of the common people. Furthermore not contēt to detract from those times, thou also complaynest that thou art borne in a monarchie vnder gouern∣ment, as though any man hath libertie, or bon∣dage from any other but from his owne minde: be thou thy owne, not a slaue of thy affecti∣ons: stande firme amongst all the darkenesse of vice: moderate thy sences: take thy minde into thy owne power: then thou perfectly shalt see thy selfe in the bosome of libertie: though borne vnder the Persian seruitude. Besides, thou wouldest haue it knowne what a great man, thou wouldest haue bin, if thou haddest binne borne vnder a free state. I knowe there thou wouldest haue set vp a shoppe of vertue; thou wouldest haue corrected thinges that are amisse: that people should haue had thee an excellent reformer of manners: this indeede were credible; if in that place where thou art, thou hadst giuen any token of it: if thou hadest made cleane thy owne manners: if thou hadest excelled and gone before others in true and vertuous examples, not in a glorious speech, but thou (whilst thou ad∣monishest others) differrest all to other times, and o∣ther places, as though time and place had rule ouer vertue.

What? darest thou say, that thou wouldest pre∣scribe

manners to others, which hast either none thy selfe or vncertaine, vnordered or verie euill? Wilt thou showe the waye to others which know∣est it not thy selfe? Doest thou thinke that thou art priuatly discharged, because thou promi∣sest that thou wilt publikely doe it? But I am a∣fraide that amongst thy familiars, with whome thou mayst do much, thou art scarse a powerfull example of vertue, if thy inwarde life do not first aunswere to these glorious admonitions: this (beleeue mee) is the most compendious waye of informinge thy owne manners to honestie, and reforming the vices of others.

Here, if thou beginnest, there from thee ver∣tue shall bee deriued vnto thy neighbours; from thence into thy whole kingedome: and so into forraigne and straunge Countries. Why doest thou suffer a thinge so profitable, and of euerie good man so much wished and desired, and loo∣ked for: so longe to bee expected and desired of thee? Goe no further, expect not any solitarie, or priuatte place, there were thou art, giue vnto thy selfe, giue vnto those, that are about thee, giue vnto all, an vndoubted experminent what thou wouldest doe if thou haddest beene borne there, where thou mightest haue had authoritie, and beene a great man, and had much power ouer the mindes of other, giue assurance, that if thou

haddest place, nothing els were wanting to thee, it is in thy power to performe that: and what there, would bee authoritie, here shalbe example, and yet it is true that in good examples their is much autho∣ritie.

Do not thinke that any place giueth libertie to manners. I do not see if thou weart one of the great states in a free Commonwealth, howe thou couldest more profitte thy Countrie then now, when thou art borne vnder gouernment: and in no great fauour, vnlesse peraduenture thou art of that opinion, that there is more vertue and generous honestie, ingrafted in those that are borne in a free state, then vnder a Prince like gouernement. If thou thinke thus, thou thinkest euill; and with all accoun∣test nature to bee a stepmother, not a mother, nor indued with a kinde of motherly affection. For surely, Necessity inuented all formes of Common∣wealthes; being inuented, Reason hath disposed thē; and Time and Experience hath confirmed them: there are places, where publike consent require lawes; other places, where they stande in neede of Kinges and soueraintie: and amongst these the excellencie of a King-like authoritie is no lesse glo∣rious, then amongst those the sweetnes of libertie. Doubtles, to both there is no other thinge propoun∣ded then publike security, which consisteth in this that euery man haue his owne, and that cheefly in all pla∣ses there be a rule of aequalitie.

For the establishing of this security there is need e∣uery way of much concord of the Citizens; to this cōcord, men that are willing are driuen by thēselues, and by a naturall instinct of goodnesse; those that are vnwilling are compeld by the lawes, and all the guarde and strength that lawes haue; he whom the condition of birth hath brought vnder a free state is a debter to his vertue, and a subiect to that. He that is borne vnder a King, it is fit for him vvhatsoeuer he hath, he imploy it to the obedience of his Prince; from both ariseth the commendation of a good Ci∣tizen, to enquire which place is neerer and more open to vertue, it is rather a matter of curiosity then profit, and not for this purpose.

And all this I haue saide to this end that it may appeare, that in euery forme of a Common wealth, there is some one marke of vertue, whereunto men must runne in all courses. It is ready and easie to e∣uery man, euery where to learne manners; If frō those that are vertuous, he shall be furnisht with vertuous qualities, if from the multitude, he shall be furnisht with manners variable, and impure. This also dooth much trouble thee, that thou saiest that in these dayes there is no where any certainety of reli∣gion and holy worship, that wheresoeuer thou loo∣kest, men go astray and er: nor that the waies & true paths of religion are so much opened as the entran∣ces to all impiety. From hence all

Right and wrong are turnd, and warres do still increase And face of sinnes in many shapes.

For at this day there is nothing which is so fruitfull a ground of all publique calamities as this variety of religion. From hence are the ruines and falles of whole kingdomes; the workers and contriuers wher∣of appeareth to bee a number of vncertaine, vncon∣stant men, which swarme in all places, desirous not onely of nouelty, but of the ouerthrow of states; by whose disputations and subtilty, the truth long since hath been spoken, not perfected; For these do rend the common wealth in sunder with an itch of con∣tention, and a desire of ouercomming without care of learning. With much impudency and slouth in their euill contentions of the greatest things; to whō as it plainely appeareth their most wicked fruite is, to speake great things of God, and yet neuer to reue∣rence him nor to thinke there is any; much lesse to feare him as the iust punisher of such offences. From hence it commeth that they scarce forbeare from impyety, No not in those things which ought to be sacred and most solemne. For what else meane these contentions, from disputations, tumults; from tumults, warres growing from warres, one trouble and vprore from another. I doe not onely sorrow for these but mourne them. For I confesse in these kinds there haue more errours sprunge vp within this hundred yeeres then can bee cured either with Admonition, Authority, or Reason. But what are all

these to thee? If thou hast learned in thy child-hood; if in thy youth thou hast beene nourished; if in thy mans estate those thinges were confirmed in thee, wherein thy safetie and the vertuous duties of thy life are contained? Can any stormes drawe thee to a contrarie course? Can the leuitie of others or their craft mingled with fury, be strong enough, to shake thy constancy and to trouble thy quiet re∣solution? Nay, rather the more the vulgar with the inconstant motions of their mind and euery tempest floate vp and downe, the more show thou, that thou canst not be mooued. What? Doost thou turne a∣bout at euery noise? Is it not a shame that in a mat∣ter of such moment, strength and constancy should bee wanting in thee. Therefore stand and remaine immoueable:

Euen as the Rocke in midst of sea doth stand Vnmou'd, when waues most furiously do tosse: And like those stones fast fixed as the land, VVhil'st silly reedes are shaken to the lesse:

Why doost thou desire to see how here euery man delighteth to doubt, to float, to perish? either thou art rightly entred into this true way & in good time, or from thy infancy thou art of no valewe? If this bee so, doe not I loose my labour, which do thus reason with thee? If otherwise, from whence is this inconstancie of thy disposition? VVhy doost thou not goe on as thou hast begunne?

Those precepts of pyety that are ingrafted in thee, take heed that thou be not a forsaker of them. Do not so much as doubt. For whosoeuer so doubteth that he neuer compose and stay his wauering mind, he is wholly drawne in peeces, with variety of opinions. Surely such a one either erreth or is next vnto one that erreth, and thus erring, next vnto him that peri∣sheth. Therefore with this foule inconstancy ouer∣turne not thy bringing vp, Be not willing to bee e∣steemed for thy idle wishe, but heape thy holy wishes with study and true Piety, which to man as the Poet speaketh is safest vertue. I say true piety, because I doe warne thee to take heede of the coun∣terfeit pyety of these dayes, which professeth a soli∣tary wandring knowledge of God, without any fruite at all, whilst it seeketh to know all things lawfull and vnlawfull of God, Open or secret, and with a sub∣tile mouth skilfully argueth those things which their euill minds deride and scorne.

Thus farre are these sorts of men from worship∣ing of God: sincerely & rightly ordering of humane duties, for it becommeth men neuer to be more mo∣dest, then when they haue to deale with God; to be most holy, and most reuerent in those things that be∣long to religon, rather to professe an humble simpli city of beleeuing, then to boast of a sharpenesse of piercing into his secrets, and knovving of his glo∣ry.

In other things I commend thy confidence, but

in this thy feare. Surely in the very entrāce of that sa∣cred power & vnsearchable maiesty, there is a bright nesse and glory that opposeth it selfe against euery curious searcher, and blindeth both the eyes and the mind of him that pryeth with ouer much boldnesse, against this vsuall rashnesse at this day, or any such that is like vnto it, set lockes vpon thy eares; for it is not pyety but a counterfait impyety, which leadeth men into errors; to which that olde saying may bee truely spoken

Which way thou please runne slily, playe the Foxe,

Exact that true and seuere pyety of thy selfe, which is scarce found in conference and concourse of multi∣tudes; seldome is cloathed in pretious garments, seldome walketh into the streets, scarce is seene in publique, but dwelleth in a true and honest brest and from thence is dispersed into his mouth and hands; thus beeing affected, thou shalt neuer bee drowned in the waues of false opinions; no tem∣pest of errour shall cast thee downe;

The Sea shall smile And mildest Heauens shall calmely smile on thee:

From these thinges, which thou mislikest in the common wealth, thou commest to thy owne pri∣uate

condition, and art angry with that. Canst thou indure to heare the truth? Thou art full of disdaine, this maketh thee so nyce and froward; what wouldest thou say if thou wert sent into the Countrey, where thou must holde the plough and harden thy selfe with toyling labour; to get that thou mightest eate? VVhat if thou wert set to some handy-craft, where thou migh∣test possesse no more then thou couldest earne with thy daily labour? VVhat if professing the life of a souldier, thou shouldest have thy body hurt and mained that thou couldest scarce mooue it? VVhat if thou shouldest enter anie course of life harder and more vnprofitable then these? VVhat monsters of words couldest thou then vtter? with how many complaintes wouldest thou fill the skies? with how many wicked speeches, wouldest thou then prouoke that deuine goodnesse? who be∣ing so well dealt with all, yet darest complaine of God, who hath compased thee about with so many honest fauours. But as it seemes, thou art wise, thou art learned, thou art circumspect, yet for all this thou art not ashamed to sticke in those shallowes of ignorance, where euery vnskilfull man peri∣sheth.

VVhy doost thou not rather vse that learned oa•…•…e to saile ouer these daungerous places? from whence if thou doost not speedely escape, thou shalt bee like vnto one that hath suffered shipwracke. If

thou professest thy selfe a lawyer, and an obseruer of equity, if thou wilt bee esteemed as the defence of the people and the Oracle of the Citty •…•…ye (light and inconstant man that thou art) why hast thou not first before others supported and strengthened thy selfe with holesome Councell? If thou woul∣dest at least consulte with thy selfe, and from thy selfe euill affected, appeale to thy selfe without perturbation or passion, thou wouldest bee in∣different to thy Noble and excellent condition, and that which is the chiefe of all take in good part, what thou art; wipe away those staines familiar and vsually to this kinde of men; giue faithfull councell to him that asketh; cut off stryfes, abstaine from oppression and exhortation: If thou art a Iudge, Iudge religiovsly, and feare GOD the great Iudge, and then be assured thou shalt not bee subiect to the suspitions of the good nor to any euill speeches, vnlesse peraduenture of those that are most euill. Thus assure thy selfe thou shalt bee worship∣ful to the best, to the meanest, to al, in al places thou shalt be esteemed honest, amongst men, and accep∣table to God.

Besides if the Cōmon-wealth be troubled, if men betake themselues to their armour, then thou com∣plainest that ciuill professions are dispised, that learning is contemned, and also that thou lyest open and vnhidden to the outrages and disorders of all men, as though thus euery honest and innocent

disposition is not best seene in his aduersities: If thou art wicked, this is a scourge to beate thee: If thou art good think that a hand is reacht out to thee that thou bee not idle, or forgetfull, but watchfull, least thou catch a grieuous and a deadly fall. Well howsoeuer it is, consider whether thou haste not in the time of peace, abused thy skill and know∣ledge to the hurte of men and not to defende them. Dooth not worthely (then which no∣thing can bee more iust) thy owne example fall vpon thy owne head? These cogitations will driue out of thy minde all that vniust complaint which thou makest against God: Surely displea∣sed with thy owne vices thou shouldest first se∣uerely blame thy selfe before thou accusest anie o∣ther.

Last of all, whosoeuer thou art learned or vnlear∣ned, whether one of the states or a common person, whether thou art a leader, or an ordinary souldier, whether thou art rich or poore, of what sort soeuer thou art (for it were infinit to reckon vp all) there∣fore I speake vnto all that euery man may take it spoken to himselfe. Thou that hast passed the flower of thy age; thou art he with whō my speech is at this time; if thou vsest not thy strength & health to some good purpose; if before the powers of thy body and mind faile thee, thou vse them not for the true defen∣ces of thy soule, and doe not inrich thy selfe with true riches, thou in the olde age wilt in vaine desire

those things wherein thou oughtest to be instructed. Now it were fitte to arme thy selfe with wisedome, and true valour: sad and loathsome olde age ouer∣taketh men that are inconsiderat and vnprepard: In time to come thou wilt bee able to do nothing but trifles, the mind will wax olde in a decayed bodie. Thou shalt be vnfitte for any thing; and death at last vnawares shall ouertake thee, subiect to many scoffes and dangers, and in vaine looking about for helpe, which (whē thou mightest) thou didst not pro∣uide vnto thy selfe. Therefore free thy selfe from these delayes, least thy sluggishnes bring thee into those daungers, from whence thou canst not deliuer thy selfe, without much perill. Repentance at the last yeares is late. Wee looke for meanes of life then late, when wee are in the last part of it; when our burdens are to be packt vp: nay, to bee layd aside. O lamentable condition of that man, who by his in∣consideratnes is brought to that, which is the begin∣ning of eternall miserie; and hee that commeth to that, I confesse his life so much the more hatefull in that it is ended most vnfortunatly. Thou whosoeuer thou art ascribe thy owne euill to thy selfe, who abu∣sest thy owne good; thy life vnknowing is lent vn∣to thee, not short but longe, and heaped with ma∣ny, and great benefits of God; and thou man the vn∣gratfullest of all men, spendest the same in error, and vanitie; thou consumest all thy time in frosen and foolish trifles. Dost thou suffer this so great a be∣nefitte

by thy negligence to passe from thee without profit, and art not ashamed to vpbraide God with the smalenes of the benefit, beleeue me, thou wholly dependest vpon a small threed: thou mayst immediat∣ly be cast headlong down into a perpetuall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of misery: if thou dost not speedily lay hand vpon those meanes with which being supported, thou mayst at∣taine to that felicitie, to which thou weart created, thou oughtest to contemne all other things, and to desire this one thing and not to desire it as one Ill, slouthfull, and weake, but as one strong diligent, & intent to to his greatest hap∣pinesse.