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CHAP. XV.
BVT what (saith h••) letteth Vertue and vol••pt••ousnesse to bee con••ounded in one,* 1.1 to the end that from them both the Soue∣raigne good might be deriued, so that it might bee one t••in•• to be honest•• and to be pleasant. Because ther•• cannot bee a par•• of honestie which is not honest, neither shall the chiefest good haue her sinceritie, if she discouer ought in her selfe that is vnlike the better. Ney∣ther is that joy which proceedeth from Vertue, although it be good, a part of the cheifest and absolute good. No more then mirth and tranquilitie, although they are deriued from most excellent causes. For these are goods: yet such as attend the Sou••raigne good, but perfect it no••. But whosoeuer will associate Vertue, and pleasure, and not equall them; by the frailtie of the one he morti∣fieth all••that which is actiue in th•• other. Finally he inthralleth that inuincible libertie that knoweth nothing more precious then her selfe. For he beginneth to haue need of Fortune which is the greatest seruitude of all others. And hee is attended by a doubtfull, fearefull, and susptious life, fearefull of casual∣ties, and suspended vpon the moments of time. Thou giuest not Vertue a setled and immoueable foundation, but commanndest her to stand in a sl••pperie place. But what is so vncertaine as the expectation of casualties, and the varie∣tie of the bodie, and such things as affect the bodie? How can hee obay God, and entertaine euery thing that hapneth to him with a good minde, and cease to complaine of Fate, and be a faithfull interpreter of his owne casualties, if he be shaken with the smallest assaults of pleasures or sorrowes? neyther can he be a good tutor or defender of his Countrie, nor a maintaner of his friends, if hee be inclined to pleasures. Thether therefore doth the chiefest good ascend from whence she may not bee drawne by any force. Whereby there is neyther en∣trance giuen to sorrow, hope, or feare, nor to any other thing which may in∣damnifie or lessen the greatnesse of the chiefest good. And only Vertue may ascend thereunto, by her steppes this steepie rocke must be broken, shee will stand stifly, and whatsoeuer shall happen will endure it•• not onely patien•• but also willing, knowing that euery difficultie of time is but the Law of Na∣ture. And as a good Souldier will endure wounds, number his scarres•• and though thrust throw with many weapons, will dying loue that Captaine for whose sake h•• breatheth his last: so will Vertue haue this Ancient precept in minde, March after God. But whosoeuer complaineth, weepeth, and mour∣neth, is compelled to doe that which he is commanded; and notwithstanding is violently enforced to doe that which is enjoyned him? But what madnesse is it rather to bee drawne then to follow? As great in truth•• as if thorow sortish∣nesse and ignorance of thy condition, thou shouldest lament, because some mis∣fortune is befalne thee, or shouldest be amazed and diffident, that thou couldest not endure that•• which hapneth as well to the good as to the euill•• that is to say sicknesse, death of parents and friends•• weaknesse, and such other incumbrances of mortall life. Let vs couragiously endure all that which the common condi∣tion of all things that are created submitteth vs vnto. We are obliged vnto this, to endure all the accidents of our life without troubling our selues with those casualties, which we know how to auoid. We are borne vnder a Royall domi∣nation. It is libertie to obey God.