CHAP. XXVIII.
AFter so many examples, is there any doubt but that a Master may sometimes receiue a benefit at his bond-mans hands? why should the person rather lessen the dignitie of a thing, then the thing en∣noble the person? All men haue the same beginnings, and the same original; no man is more noble then another, except it be such an one that hath a better wit, and is more apt to good Arts. They that set forth their Pedi∣grees, and their ancestors in a long row, interlined with many branches of col∣laterall descents on the forefront of their houses, are rather noted then no∣ble: we haue all of vs but one parent, which is the world, whether it be by fa∣mous, or bare descent; euery man conueyes his first pedigree from it. There is no cause why these should deceiue thee, who when they reckon vp their ance∣stors: wheresoeuer some noble name faileth them, they presently faine a god. Despise no man, though his pedigree be worne out of remembrance, and hee smally furthered by vnfriendly fortune, whether our predecessors were free∣men, or bond, or forrainers. ••ouragiously aduance ye your mindes; and what∣soeuer basenesse lieth in the way, leape ye ouer it. Great nobilitie attendeth for you at the last. Why with pride are we lifted vp vnto so great vanitie, that from seruants we disdaine to receiue benefits; and looke vpon their sort, forgetting deserts? Doest thou call any one a seruant, thou being a seruant of lust and of gluttonie, and of an adulteresse, yea a common slaue of adultere••ses? Callest thou any one a seruant? Whither now art thou dragged by these groomes; who beare about this thy litter? Whether do these in liuery-cloaks, who counterfeit a souldier-like, and no vulgar attire indeed? Whither, I say, doe these carrie thee abroad? to the doore of some doore-keeper, to the gardens of some, who doth not indeed beare office in ordinarie. And yet deniest thou, that a benefit can bee giuen to thee by thy seruant, to whom it is a benefit to haue a kisse from the seruant of another man? What so great discord of minde is this? At the same time thou despisest and reuerencest seruants. Within doores thou art imperious and out-ragious, base abroad; and as well contemned, as contemning. For ne∣uer doe any more abase their minds, then they who wickedly lift them vp: and none are more readie to treade vpon other men, then they who haue learned to proffer reproch, by receiuing it.