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. XXIX.

I Haue lost a benefit. Shall we say we haue lost those things which we consecrate to good vses? A benefite ought to be numbred a∣mongst those things that are consecrated; prouided that a man hath well employed the same, although it be badly requited: if he haue not shewed himselfe such as we hoped he would be, let vs be such as wee haue beene, let vs be vnlike vnto him; the wrong was then done, and now it ap∣peareth. An vnthankfull man is not accused by vs, but with our owne disgrace, because the complaint of the losse of our benefit, is a signe it was badly giuen. As neere as we can let vs pleade his cause with our selues, and say happely hee could not, peraduenture he knew not, perhaps he will doe it hereafter. The wise and patient creditor sometimes recouereth his debt which he reputeth lost, in forbearing his debtor, and giuing him time: the like must we do; let vs nourish the languishing faith of those that forget themselues.