The workes of Lucius Annæus Seneca, both morrall and naturall Containing, 1. His bookes of benefites. 2. His epistles. 3. His booke of prouidence. 4. Three bookes of anger. 5. Two bookes of clemencie. 6. His booke of a blessed life. 7. His booke of the tranquilitie of the minde. 8. His booke of the constancie of a wiseman. 9. His booke of the shortnesse of life. 10. Two bookes of consolation to Martia. 11. Three bookes of consolation to Heluia. 12. His booke of consolation to Polibius. 13. His seuen bookes of naturall questions. Translated by Tho. Lodge, D. in Physicke.

CHAP. XV.

WHat benefits are, and whether the greatnesse and dignitie of a name so honorable should bee imployed in this abiect, and hum∣ble matter, it appertayneth not to you, a true benefit belongeth vnto others. Compose you your mindes to the resemblance of a true benefit, and whilest you say that thing is honest, whatsoe∣uer it be, if it be reputed and esteemed for honest, esteeme and praise that: Euen as (saith hee) no man in your iudgement is vngratefull, so againe by your recko∣ning all men are vngratefull. For as you say, all fooles are euill men, but he that hath one vice is possessed of all, and all men are fooles and euill, therefore all men are vngratefull. What then? doth not the reproch generally light vpon all mankinde? Is it not a publike complaint that benefits are lost, and that there are few which requite not euill, for such as haue deserued well? neither hast thou cause to conceiue that this is our particular misconceit, or deceit, and that wee alone repute all things euill, and depraued that fall not out euen and iust, with the rule of right. Behold I know not what veine it is, or whence it is sent, which crieth not out of the Philosophers house, but from the midst of the multitude, condemning People and Nations.

Nor from the Hoste the guest can be secured, Nor from his Sonn in-law the Father freed, Nor Brother from his Brother be assured: Both Man and wife haue eithers death decreed.

But this now is more, benefits are turned into banes, and their blood is not spa∣red, for whose defence we ought to spend our owne. Wee follow and gratifie benefits with Sword and Poison. At this time it is reputed dignitie and great∣nesse, to violate and spoile a mans Countrey, and to oppresse her with her owne authoririe. He that hath not troden the Common-wealth vnder his feete, supposeth himselfe the basest and ignoblest in the same. These Armies that were leuied by her, are armed against her, and her imperious voice is applauded and listned to, that saith. Fight against your wiues, draw your Swords against your children, destroy your Temples, raize downe your houses, and cast your houshold gods on the ground. You that should not enter Rome (no not to triumph) without permission and commaund of the Senate, and to whom bringing home their victorious Armies, audience was giuen in the Senate without the Citie walles, enter the Citie now with displayed ensignes, murthering the Citizens, and ba∣thed

in the blood of your neerest kinsfolkes. Let libertie bee silent amidst these warlike ensignes. And let that conquering Nation, and that people which hath established peace thorow their whole Empire; and driuen warres out of their Prouinces, and allayed all terrour and feare, now besieged and terrified within their owne walles, be affraide of their owne Standards and Eagles.