Bel-vedére, or, The Garden of the muses

Of Faith and Zeale.

Faith shewes a good mans fruits, preserues the soule, And zeale doth best giue euidence of faith.

FAithes best is triall, then it shineth most. The faithfull stands, the faultie man will flye. Zeale is but cold where louelesse law restraines. Tis hastie rashnes where true faith doth flye. In deepe distresse, true faith doth best auaile. When once mans faith is spotted and defamd, The bodie had been better neuer framd. Zeale and good courage best become a Prince. Faith bides no perfit triall, but by time. Shipwracke of faith is made, where conscience dyes. Friends haue no priuiledge to breake their faith. The gift deserueth most is giuen in zeale. False fainting zeale, shadowed with good pretence▪ Can find a cloake to couer each offence.

F••lse faith is ouer-pois••le with we••l••••st weigh••. The ballanc•• yeelds vnto the lightest feather. An easie yeelding zeale is quickly quaild. Faith violate, is most detestable. Faith once resolu'd, treads fortune vnder foot. The man that holds no faith, shall find no trust. Where faith doth fearelesse dwell in brazen tower, There spotlesse pleasure builds her sacred bower. A zealous heart is alwaies bountifull. The faith of Knighthood is by vertue tryed. Euery occasion quailes a hireling faith. The gift deserueth much is giuen in zeale. A princes greatest fault, is breach of faith. The faith of Pagans ought not be belieu'd. Faith is a fortresse gainst all fainting feare: And Zeale, the walles doth euermore vp-reare. Take faith from iustice, all things runne to spoile. Authoritie is strengthened best by zeale. Who binds himselfe by faith, had need beware. Faith to rash oathes no credit giues at all. The greater faith, the greater sufferance. Faith is the true foundation of the soule, And soonest doth redeeme the same from sinne. Zeale makes opinion stand inuincible. A good mans wish, is substance, faith, and fame. Selfe-will doth frown, when earnest zeale reprooues. Faith mounteth to the clouds on golden wings. Faith brings forth workes, and workes declare our faith. No faith too firme, no trust can be too strong.

Similies on the same subiect.

AS raine makes euery ground bring forth encrease. So faith of euery soule doth shew the fruits.

As honours fire doth kindle high desires, So zealous faith lifts vp the lowest soule. As night doth best the diamonds glory show, So sharpe affliction best makes faith to grow. As wisdome is the only way to weale, So true discretion best directeth zeale. As loue and hate cannot agree in one, So without zeale, faith thinkes her selfe alone.

Examples likewise on the same.

PArmenio wild his king to breake his faith, I would (quoth he) were I Parmenio. Lysander made no reckoning of his faith, And therefore was by euery one reproou'd. Attilius sent to Rome vpon his faith, Boldly return'd, although it cost his life. Rastrix the Duke of Cleueland, breaking faith, Was therefore dispossest of both his eyes. Let none speake ill of vs, said Pittacus, To whome we stand obliged by our faith. Keepe faith (saith Cicero) with enemies What ere mishap doe follow thereupon.