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

A Preface Contai∣ning the reasons of vndertaking this Treatise. CHAP. 1.

WHen I cōsider, why euery man thinks himself euill dealt withall, that hee is, that. which God would haue him to be (Great & Right Honor.) (and that which is more worth and better then all titles) (right vertuous): I finde no o∣ther reason; but that euery mans vnthankfull mind towards God, is the fountaine of this euill. For ma∣ny are most sparing, but most, most vniust esteemers

of his benefits: not so much accounting those things which they haue receiued to be benefits, as those things which they haue not receiued, to bee los∣ses; wee passe all moderation with our shamelesse wishes, whilst whatsoeuer (foolishly) we couet wic∣kedly, we hope; and whatsoeuer we so hope for, that with vnsatiable eyes, and greedy vnlimited thoughts wee feede vpon. From hence is our impatience, from hence are the perpetuall complaints of men, from hence are the frantik & wicked speeches of ra∣uing impiety, from hence is that mutuall rancour that burneth inwardely; In one word, there is no worde so common in our mouthes, as these cogitations are in our minds. O vnaequall and Vniust Lost, howe hast thou aduaunsed him without all me∣rit vnto a hye place, whilst thou holdest mee who am (many wayes) more worthy, in lowe estate; These and such like tearmes, wee repiningly vtter by reason of our rashnesse, and whilst in nothing we thinke humbly, in all things wee ouerweiningly flatter our selues; accounting whatsoeuer wee receiue, not to be giuen, but payde. And although no man be so impudent, that hee dare openly accuse God; yet that which they speake not, they either murmur or conceale in the secret of their thoughtes, and whilst euery man bitterly complaines of his lot that is not, he doth itreligiously thinke of God, who tru∣ly is; and whose name hee concealeth his power and Maiesty he despiseth. This inborn impiety with

mans nature, I pursue with this labour in this treatise, neither do I it so much to confute inconsiderat and wicked speeches, as to controule secret and impure thoughts; for from wicked thoughts arise infected and poluted words, and therefore to suppresse those, is to represse these. Neither will I circumuent or treacherously vndermine this fault, but deale plainly, not deceitfully; I will lay open the deformities of this sinne, I will pull vp the rootes of it, the boughes and branches I will cut off. Neither haue I procee∣ded more slougthfully in this taske, for that as soone as the title of this booke is seene, I know many either disdainfully will repine, or (as the manners of most are) proudly scorning will say, what can there be in this argument either witty, or learned? Nay, what is there not here rather cold, frozen, worne, & com∣mon? For this argument is vsually withall bitternesse handled of the Preachers at this day, and plentifully in those bookes, which euery vulgar eye may reade. And besides peraduenture they will say, these are but the fragments of some auntient wits, as the Trage∣dies of Aesculus were of Homer. I confesse, I am not ignorant, that the Argument of this treatise, must passe depriued of his chiefest commendation, and is vnfit to shew any exquisite learning, vnpleasant to the care, and too low & humble, to participate with same. And least any thing should happen newe or vnexpected; besides all these, I haue considered with my selfe, the seuerity and distastes of Readers at this

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day; the delicacies of mens eyes, and eares; their whisperings and secret reproofes, that resolutely de∣spising these, I might passe them ouer. With me the necessitie of this meditation hath only preuailed, and that alone hath imposed this labour vpon mee. Neither can the rumours of the common sort, or the darke cloudes of secret estimation, hinder mee from obseruing those things which are fit, or from bridling (as far as I am able) these impieties, vndoub∣tedly the best men, whose vertues (though with farre distance it is honorable (euen creepingly) to follow; haue bestowed most of their leasure to this end. Nei∣ther haue I from hence a cōfidence to ouertake thē, but a loue to follow them. Neither is there in this, any ostentation of nouelty, to slirre vp or feede any mans curiositie. Scarse shall I say in this any thing, Famous, newe, or as yet vnspoken by others, there is little pleasant to the reader, or hearer; because I af∣fect nothing lesse then curious trimming; I would please, I confesse if I could, but I know not to smooth; I labour wholly to profit. I affect no name from hence. I do not ambitiously wooe the voices of the learned, nor couet the applause of the multi∣tude; I know these things are reserued for those wits that mount hier. For my selfe, who in humility scarce creepe, it is sufficient not to be blamed; not to be prouoked; whilst thus I labour to make some defence against those troopes of vices, that are euery where dispersed. To this I exhort all, against whome

these monsters bark, cheefely vnthankfulnesse, which is the worst of all; No sinne sooner doth estrange God from Man then this; by no enemy, are we more cruelly and more treacherously undermined, then by this; with this monster, man can haue no trust, but deceitful, no peace, but deadly. Our armour therefore must neuer be put off; as euer being in the sight of an enemy, most watchfull to ouerthrow vs. No combate is of such importance, no conflict of more resolution, nor any that requireth more valour? In this victory are al those things, that are propoun∣ded to bee the reward of piety. But there is no con∣quest that is harder, later, or more doubtfull. For this poyson of vnthankfulnesse (being pluckt vp) often groweth againe; beeing subdued, often rebelleth, conquereth vs often, when we thinke, we haue ouer∣come it: to conclude, vnthankfulnesse is neuer ex∣tinguisht in vs, but by a pyety most perseuering and e∣uerlasting. Wherefore it is fit, that all vertuous and religious minds do stirre vp, and arme themselues, in the vnderstanding and prouision of such danger; and with continuall and earnest prayers obtaine of his deuine goodnesse, necessary defences against such an enemy; He erreth, that in this, waiteth vpon others; This businesse admitteth no delayes, here euery man must be a spurre, and a guide to himselfe. Euery man must stirre vp and awake himselfe with excellent examples. Heere euery man must be an example to others, and whatsoeuer helpe is neces∣sary

for his owne safety, that he must imploy, for a cōmon good. There is no vertue if it be seasonably vsed, wherein there is not some helpe and aduantage for this victory; Often times those, whose chardge is least, both in the Church and Common-wealth, if they labour that they may ouercome; if with wishes, vowes, indeauours, if with all diligence they fauour this businesse, they are reckoned amongst Conque∣rours. Thinke (Right Honorable) thou that art the light of this age, that amongst these I account my selfe; if I be not in this conflict a captaine of appro∣ued valour (as I confesse I am not) yet in my holy wishes, I am a faithfull souldier, who respect not my selfe onely, but seeke for a common good, to ad∣uaunce that chardge, that is layd vpon me. Now I earnestly intreate your Honour to patronize these papers (how meane soeuer they are) if you thinke they haue any publique profit in them; the thing is small, yet it attempteth a great worke; and the matter at the first sight is easie, but if you looke nea∣•…•…er, of more weight and seuerity. Whatsoeuer it bee, it shall receiue no small authoritie, from your authority. For all men almost that know you, so admire your vnspotted, your humble and sincere be∣hauiour, your graue and excellent wisedome, that they reuerence you wholly, as some sacred and sa∣uing power. God hath bestowed so many great and excellent ornaments vpon you, compassed you a∣bout with so many rich, strong and Honorable de∣fenses,

of all which I might and would speake if it were not to your selfe. And howsoeuer I may seeme to haue erred in other things, yet in this all that knowe you (and all almost that are vertuous knowe you) will thinke that I was wise, who haue made choise of your Honour, as vertuously to ad∣mire and follow at other times, so to bee a pa∣trone to this worke; who haue beene euer a fauourer of al those means, which do leade to vertue.