The arte of rhetorique for the vse of all suche as are studious of eloquence, sette forth in English, by Thomas Wilson.

Foure lessons to be obserued, where contrarye lawes are called in question.

• i. The inferioure law must geue place to the superiour.
• ii. The lawe generall muste yelde to the spe∣ciall.
• iii. Mans lawe, to Gods lawe.
• iiii. An olde lawe, to a newe lawe.

There be Lawes vtterde by Christes owne mouthe, the whiche if they be taken accordinge as they are spoken, seme to conteyne great absurditie in them. And therfore the mind of the lawe maker muste rather be obserued, then the bare wordes taken onely, as they are spoken. Christ sayth in the v. of Mathew. If thy right eye be an offence vnto thee, plu∣cke him out, and caste him awaye from thee. If one geue the a blowe of thy ryghte cheke, turne to him agayne thy lefte

cheke. There be some Eunuches, that haue gelded thēselfes for the kyngdome of heauen. Go, and sell all that thou hast, and geue it to the poore. He that doeth not take vp his crosse and folowe me, is not worthy of me. In all whiche sentences there is no suche meanyng, as the bare wordes vttered seme to yelde. Pluckyng out of the iye, declares an auoydyng of all euill occasions: receiuyng a blowe vpon the lefte cheke, cōmendes vnto vs, modestie and pacience in aduersitie. Gel∣dyng, signifieth a subduyng of affeccions, & tamyng the foule luste of pleasure, vnto the will of reason. Go and sell all: de∣clares we should be liberal, and glad to part with our good∣des to the poore and neady. Bearyng the Crosse, be••o••••••eth sufferance of all sorowes, and miseries in this worlde. Now to proue that the will of the lawe maker, is none other then I haue saied: I maie vse the testimonies of other places in the Scripture, and compare theim with these sentences, and so, iudge by iuste examinacion, and diligent searche, the true meanyng of the lawe maker.

Notes

• Math. v.
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