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Melchisedech a Iew, by recounting a Tale of three Rings, to the great Soldam, named Saladine, preuented a great danger which was prepared for him.
The third Nouell.
Whereby the Author, approuing the Christian Faith, sheweth, how beneficiall a sodaine and ingenious answer may fall out to bee, especially when a man finds himselfe in some euident danger.
MAdame Neiphila hauing ended her Discourse, which was well allow∣ed of by all the company; it pleased the Queene, that Madam Phi∣lomena should next succeede in order, who thus began.
The Tale deliuered by Neiphila, maketh mee remember a doubtfull case, which sometime hapned to another Iew. And because that God, and the truth of his holy Faith, hath bene already very wel discoursed on: it shall not seeme vnfitting (in my poore opinion) to descend now into the accidents of men. Wherefore, I will relate a matter vnto you, which being attentiuely heard and considered; may make you much more cir∣cumspect, in answering to diuers questions and demands, then (perhaps) otherwise you would be. Consider then (most woorthy assembly) that like as folly or dulnesse, many times hath ouerthrowne some men from place of eminencie, into most great and greeuous miseries: euen so, dis∣crect sense and good vnderstanding, hath deliuered many out of irksome perils, and seated them in safest security. And to proue it true, that fol∣ly hath made many fall from high authority, into poore and despised ca∣lamity; may be auouched by infinite examples, which now were neede∣lesse to remember: But, that good sense and able vnderstanding, may prooue to be the occasion of great desolation, without happy preuenti∣on,