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CHAP. VI.
BVT the soule likewise (saith hee) shall haue her pleasures.* 1.1 Let her enjoy them, and let her sit as Iudge ouer dissolution and plea∣sures. Let her glut herselfe withall those thinges that are wont to delight the sences. Furthermore, let her looke backe to those things that are past, and remembring her selfe of her decaied plea∣sures let her enjoy those that are nee••est her, extend her hand to the ••uture, ru∣ling her hopes, and lifting vp her thoughts to that which is to come whilest the bodie tumbleth in delights and surfets. This in my judgment is a meere mise∣rie, because it is a madnesse to imbrace the euill in stead of the good. Neyther is any man blessed without health, neyther any man healthie, that longeth for hurtfull, and letted healthfull things passe. He therefore is blessed, who hath a right judgmēt. Blessed is he that is contented with the present whatsoeuer they be, that is a friend to his owne affaires, blessed is hee who in the gouernment of his whole life giueth ••are vnto reason. As for those that haue said that the So∣ueraigne good consisteth in pleasure it behoueth them to consider how sordid and abject a place it is wherein they haue lodged a thing so precious. For their excuse they alleadge that a man cannot separate pleasure from Vertue, and they say likewise that no man can liue honestly except hee bee pleasant and jouiall: and that to be joyfull and honest, is one and the same thing. Yet see I not how these two things may be coupled together. And why I pray you may not plea∣sure be deuided from vertue? Forsooth, because euery beginning of good pro∣ceedeth from Vertue. From the rootes hereof euen these things spring which you loue, and desire so much. But if these were inseperable, wee should not see that somethinges are pleasing, but yet not honest, and some things most honest but difficult and such as may not be recouered but by dolour and paine.