Churchyards challenge

THE MAN IS BVT his Minde.

TO THE RIGHT WORSHIP∣full my singular good friend, Sir Iohn Skidmoer, one of the Liefetenants of Haruordshire.

I Am not forgetfull good Sir Iohn of a promise made touching The man is but his minde: Which worke now I present you, though not so well penned as the matter requireth, yet as wel ment as any peece of worke in this Booke, written as well to keepe promise, as to show the circumstance of the mistery that belongeth to euery mans minde, and to hope that all I write thereof shall be as well taken as a dutifull wri∣ter can meane. I haue plainely set downe mine opinion in that behalf, doubting not but some one man or other shall see a peece of his owne minde, in this my presump∣tion of the same. So wishing your good and vertuous minde augmented in grace, and your selfe encreased in worship and contentation of mind, I betake you to God and fall to my purposed discourse.

AS I was reading in the delightfull dis∣courses of Ieronimus Cardanus his comforts, among many pleasant pas∣sages and speciall sentences▪ I founde that he said A man was but his mind either in the value of vertue or vanity of vice. So waying the worth of that conclusion, & knowing that Manhood or Cowardize consistes in the selfe same opinion of the minde, I considered that common quarrels and priuate reuengement of Iniuries receiued, proceeded in a manner from this spring and flowing Fountaine, that euer is fedde and nourished with som setled conceite or other. For the minde is so noble, watchfull, and worthy, that it is neuer vnoccupied whilest the man is a∣waken, nor taketh any great rest when the body is a sleepe, (as some dreames and visions manifesteth plaine.) For euen as a cunning Carpēter or Smith, is hammering and heawing some péece of wood or iron, to bring the same to such shape and perfe∣ction, as the artificer would haue it: So the minde (the harber of all secretes and mouer of all good and bad motions) can at no season be idle or wax weary of deuises. The Imaginati∣ons thereof are so many, and the innumerable conceites therein are so mighty, the fire is of such vehement heat and opera∣tion, that it must néedes burne or consume any thing that long remaines in it, so the minde is of such force and power, that it leadeth the man any way it listeth, and shapes al the sences and vitall spirites in what forme or fashion it pleaseth. For the longer the fancies of the head (by rouling to and froe are tired) and at length reposeth themselues in the constantnes of the minde, the more is the mans reason subiect to the mindes reso∣lution, and the lesse strength the iudgement hath when it féeles the forces of the body captiuated and compeld to obay the great∣nes of the minde. Though learning, education, and good in∣structions, be a meane and restraint, that a peruerse mind shall not draw the whole body to destruction, yet the minde being

bent to some dangerous determination, hath ouercome all the good causes rehearsed, and brought both the body, reputation, and life, into a shamefull disorder, and made a cruell confusion not onely of the man, but likewise brought a licentious liberty to the minde, experience of proud practises hath proued this ar∣gument no fable, but now to talke truely and probably of the minde, what can be named or thought on, (if they be things to be executed) but the minde dare attempt and the man may goe about, it dare aduenture the hazarde of the soule, the losse of life and goods, and the cracking of estimation and credit, if any pur∣posed mischiefe hale the minde forewarde to some odious enter∣prises, this showes but a weakenes of Iudgement, naughtines of nature, and a most wicked and wilfull disposition of a despe∣rate conceite, diuelishly drawen and enclined and carelesly cō∣mitting it selfe to euery kinde of practises and dangerous de∣termination.

But now to touch the noblenes of an inuincible minde, that neither Fortune can conquer, power may commaund, nor worldly pompe nor wealth can winne. The true discourse of this minde, craues a writer of a higher knowledge, for the vn∣speakeable spirite that keepes life, and breatheth continuall con∣stancy in the brest where this minde makes his mansion house, is to be explained and set forth by the profoundest pen man of the worlde, that can lay open like an Anotomy the hidden and secrete partes of the body, especially the diuine nature (closed vp in flesh and bloud) and secrecy belonging to the vertue of this manly and valiaunt minde. Some men there are (and though they boast not much the nūber may be great) that with a strong heart can suffer afflictions, beare burthens, abide disgraces, and in their most torments seeme careles of all the crossings & coun∣terchecks is offered them, yet they are armed within to with∣stand all outward assaults as it were a fortresse manned with souldiers and munition, throughly to defend it selfe against the power of Princes, & practises of warlike people, yea as they in peace can vse this approued patience, so in the hottest broiles of

the warre the hope to ouercome the cruelty of their enemies, doth redouble their courages, and so with a resolute minde, the Cannon they approch, the combate they present, and the pre∣sent daunger is presently forgotten, a present matter of great momēt to be in the presence and presented before the vniuersall people placed vnder the cope of the heauens. But yet I can not leaue out the mind they haue of honour in greatest extremities, for minding the preseruation of Prince and countrey, they clap on such a minde as Mucius Sceuola did, that burned his hande in the ••ire, for missing the killing of Porcena. They care not in like sort for imprisonment, penury, hunger, torting, racking, but can suffer all manner of misery, as want of meat, lacke of liberty, and open aire, and lie on the hard earth or bare strawe, to kéepe their enemies out of the Fort or hould committed to their charge, yea and in respect of the loue they loyally beare to their Countrey, they suffer many a mortall wound, and in the end offer themselues to the death, manifestly to showe, that a man is but his minde, and the minde is it that makes the man, both famous & immortall. Now to the contrary come to the nature and condition of a Coward, whose minde is neuer to do any noble act, for he that can beare the infamy and blot of that name, to be called a Coward, liues carelesse of all other villa∣nies, and no reproche, slaunder, shamefull report, fowle fact, or what filthines can be rehearsed▪ may make him blushe, his miserable minde is so monstrous, that all soiles, kingdomes, and countries are alike for him to liue in, and as a countrey cur delightes to gnaw a bone on a midding, so he is fed fatte (among wretches of the world) with folly, beastlines, lewd behauiour, and a number of naughty conditions, neither fit to be followed, nor néedefull to be written of. The studient that mindes no∣thing so much as learning, takes such a pleasure and felicity in hearing and reading new deuises and auncient authors, that his Bookes are onely his companions, and solitary places, the swéete soiles of his repaire, and he holdeth time so precious an•• deere, that he spends in Idlenes no one howre of the day, and

hath such glory in gaining of knowledge, shal he makes no ac∣count of any other Treasure, (knowing that he that hath ver∣tue is next vnto God) nor delighteth in any society or company, but such as are learned, wise, graue and honest, and when long labour and study hath gathered the swéete Sap of Iudgement (as the Bée hath sucked Hony from the flowres) he writeth new volumes, and setteth out such workes and pamphlets, as may merite commendation, and purchase credite and benefite, and be accepted and embraced among all posterities, that mind hath a naturall disposition in all diuine graces, and that mind•• is as a day watch to the body▪ and stands as a strong Guard to the Soule and euerlasting renown.

The ignoraunt minde that hates education, and despiseth knowledge, is an enemy to himselfe and all common wealthes, most currish and rude of condition, barbarous and sauage, as an vn••amed beast, he swels and powts, like a Tode to heare the praise of a good man, and mindes nor loues nothing but block∣ishnesse, ribawdry, and corrupt manners, and hath so naughty an inclination, and is subiect to so many defectes and deformi∣ties, that this naught and lewde minde is not necessary to bee knowen among men, nor made mention of where noble minds are estéemed.

Now in generall, let euery particular man here somewhat of himselfe. There are some kinde of men, made of so fine a moulde, whose mindes may not suffer them to here, beholde, touch, or come neare any lothsome or vncleane thing, such mindes disdaines to offend the sight, (which is a cleare candle of life) with vnseemely shoes, and will not haue the Soule defiled with conceiuing of filt••y matters▪ that moues a general misliking in the whole Iudgement, and euery part of the body and minde to abhorre the vnderstanding of any foule and infec∣tious thing, either ministred by talke, or vttered by vew in o∣pen assembly.

Another sort of base minded fellowes haue their onely ioy•• in fruitlesse babble, foolish fancies and offensiue wordes, that

thunders in the aire and corrupts good maners, that fils a house full of clamors and bruite, and makes a fewe Idiots laugh, and many wise men lowre, but these haerbraine tratlers and fanta∣sticall minded mates striuing to haue all the talke themselues, (and glorying to here their owne voice) do sodainly become so audacious and bolde, that they are not onely a trouble to the whole company, but likewise a disquietnes to themselues, as apparauntlye falleth out, for when such vaine glorious min∣ded marchaunts are knowen and perceiued, they are glad that first can be rid of their fellowship and society.

A graue and modest minded man looks into a statelier kind of life, and skornes to open his mouth but in causes of credite, and matter of great moment▪ and then the wel couched spéeches (and swéete spised sentences) comes flowing from his tongue, as the faire water spouteth from the fountain, a man of that ad∣uisednes carries an easy hand ouer the rash multitude, and ga∣thers to his minde a greater knowledge of the course of this world, and euen as the persing songs and musicall harmony of the Nightingale reioyseth the hearts of the hearers, so the sweete tempred talke of a wise Orator, drawes the eares of the audience after him, and leades them in a string that haue anye motion and minde of vertue, or can consider the value & worth of such a well minded man.

The merry and pleasant companion in his kinde, beares a∣nother disposition, for his minde is so delightfull, that his tonge is like a Taber and a Pipe, prettily playing and gibing on eue∣ry mans mannors, and he that carries this minde is continual∣ly tuning him selfe (as a Minstrell were tempring and wrest∣ing of his Instrument) to pleasure with sports the dumpishe people, that sits listning to heare some straunge pastime, but in this merry minde are many humors that are fedde with some sharpe and bitter conceits, which often turns to ouer bol•• boor∣ding, and yet a well ordered minde can smoothly cast a clowde cunningly on the matter, to auoide all suspition, and to bringe the world in beliefe, a merry fellow for the solasing of his own

minde, hath free scope and liberty to ride by his neighbours, and yet keepe euery one cleane from dashing, and he himselfe to be taken as a man, whose mind meanes alwaies to make all the company merry.

A greedy minded groaper of this world, lookes solemnly on all thinges he goes about, and in a surly sort and fashion, stands bending the browes, and frowning at a number of accidents he beholdes, his talke is of bargaines, purchases, buildings, and prises of each thing that commeth to the market, and mindeth so much his priuate gaine and profite, that he forgets both com∣mon wealth and countrey, neuer merry but when his money and bags be vnder his Elbow, and alwaies sad when hee must depart with any great sum••e and payment, though double be∣nefite proceede from the same, a minde ready to doe wrong, and a body neuer apte to doe seruice in warres, nor liue quietly without brabble in peace.

The vnthrift, or more properly called a player at al manner of games sets his minde so earnestly thereon, that he will los•• meat, sleepe and rest, to winne somewat by gaming, many times practising to packe the Cards, and cogge the Dice, soden∣ly moued for a little losse to fall into a great fury, a minde that couets al, and makes no conscience if it be at play to beguile his companion, yet many of them haue such minde to be called fair players, that they are as carelesse what they lose, as they are desirous to gaine, but if the losse be great, full many a raw Pi∣geon lies wambling in their stomackes after their first sleepe, and yet waking, they minde nothing more then a reuenge, ey∣ther to take a further foile, or giue a greater blowe, and of all the mindes that men are subiect to (before mentioned) there is no minde more to be marked then this in any man, for euen as his losse or gaine is, so are his lookes and countenaunce, and so are his outwarde showes of gladnesse, and his inwarde con∣ceites of sorrowe.

The Uenerian, whose minde mastereth his body, and sub∣dues all the good parts of the same, his fancies and imaginati∣ons

flies swifter then the Swallow, and seldome or neuer sa∣tisfied with no one conquest or other, goeth drawing like a bloud-hound after a stricken Deere, and taking sent of some sute and finding perssy followes with open mouth, secret traps and chargeable expenses, till minde or body, or both be a weary, and credite be brought in question, or cracked so sore, that good name is past recouery. Then desperately he dare enter into a∣ny quarrell of a combate, and put in hazarde and daunger life and goods, and he that puts on this minde, dwels not onely in a great ouer weyning of himselfe, but commonly condemnes all others that are not of the like nature and condition.

The Flatterer that frames his minde to all manner of dis∣simulation, can play the Cameleon, to dazell the ei••s and vn∣derstanding of the wise, and abusing the best sort of people, the base and meanest of degree, are brought quickly to beleeue that subtilty is simplenesse, and great suerty remaines in muf∣fled manners, the Flatterer finding his falshood fauoured, so besturres himselfe like a Wolfe among sheepe, and finely feedes on the fattest flocke, and the wily Foxe carries no more crafte in his head, then the fine flatterer beares in his double and de∣ceiptfull minde.

The theefe that sets his mind wholy on robb••ry, spoyle, and ransacking of the rich, or whosoeuer hee may wrong, gropes out a wealthy mans budget, as a Ratt smells out a rosted peece of cheese, and hauing a wretched minde to liue on such cheats that are gotten by such chaunce, hee chuseth no other trade to trie what his villanous mind will bring him to, or what may hap∣pen on a resolute roy••••ing, which comes to no greater regarde but the reward of a gallows, the ill opinion of good men, and the open paltring exercises of a bad mind.

The Shifter that shuffles vp a borrowing life makes a pur¦chase of picking his Creditors purses, his minde is euer to bee néedy because hee minds neuer to pay peece of his det, and still cryes out of Fortune, when his owne folly plagues him, clai∣ming recompence for seruice where no desart (nor ablenes to

doe good turne) may pleade in his behalfe, yet by braggs and boastes hee makes a show to haue done manie wonders, hauing no great courage in warres nor good qualitie in peace, but as a gracelesse Grome, glad to shifte and shéeld his féeble abillitie vnder the title of a Souldier, maruelous is that meaning and mischéeuous is that minde that liues and dies both in want of wealth, wit and all manly reputation, a beggerie base minde scarce woorthy the bearing about or harbor in any honest body.

The Enuious minde hides his malice, as smothring smoke lies lurking in wet stubble or strawe, and when his furie bur∣steth abroade in flames some whole Famely or houshould is burnt or blemished bee sclaunderous brute, and this stinging & serpenting Snake, being long nourished in the wicked & warme bosome of a hatefull man, bespreads his venome throughout all the vitall parts of the bodie, so that no member nor lyneamīt thereof serues to expresse any goodnesse, and the tongue is al∣waies clapping and caueling at euery matter spoken off or mi∣nistred only to keepe the cankred mind accustomed in maddnes and malice.

The Princely and noble mind where bounty (the locke and key of loue) is as busie as a Bee in a hiue that brings forth hony for the benefite of others, and the bountifull minde thinketh it selfe dishonored, if it receaue any seruice, good turne, frée gifte or good will, and the same returne not againe with ten times tre∣ble fold thankes and reward. For this princelie minde is euer imagining how it may get friendes and make enemies reform themselues from malice, yea furthermore this minde is so ho∣norable, liberall, and desirous to win the fauor of good people, that it studies where it may bestow some acceptable gifte, and fastning the same on a gratefull person, this mind remaynes in such ••ollitie and gladnes as it had wonne a whole world, and setteth more store by a Friend gotten in this manner, than of a hundred enemies ouercome by perforce.

The sparing and niggardly mind that spies out aduauntage of gathering and whording vp riches, spends manie wordes in

faire promises (whiles hée cunningly hold•• his owne) meaning small performaunce of many great offers, and yet in a kinde of vaine glory hee intertaines both the time and the people with trifels that makes a great shew of a franke and free hart, when the minde is miserably bent to saue and gather together ill got∣ten goodes to laie vp in coffer and corners for a prodigall son, or a ryotous heyre, whose mind is as much set on spoyling that hee found as the father was enclyned to spare that hee got, but the nigards minde hath such quenchles thirst to drinke vp the drosse and dong of this earth, that no kinde of good Fortune, wordly wealth, or aboundance can moderate and satisfie his co∣uetous lust that Lucar hath set on fire, in the flaming dungeon and furnace of his nigardly minde.

The prodigall mind that spends without respect, and giues without regard, as pu••t vp in such a pride of it selfe, that it wax∣eth imperious, lordly, and loftie in a conceiued conceit of laciui∣ous charges, bestowed on the fawners and flatterers of our dayes, whose creeping and currying of fauor, makes our young maister beleeue there is no ende of his spending, and that the more hee flings and casts away, the more good fellows will follow him and the lesse his estimation and riches shall waste & diminish. For in giuing either goodes and landes to the dayly féeders of his prodigall humor, hée thinkes he receiues an euer∣lasting renowne, fame, and credit, among the lustie crue of good companions, and his mind carries him so farre into the altituds that he hopes for vnknowne happs and trusts that mountains of Gold, & the conquest of the verie Indians it selfe is alotted to bée his portion, and whosoeuer restraines him from anye peece of his purpose, enkindleth his minde rather to make a soone di∣spach of all that hee hath, than to bee long in consuming the mucke and drosse of this world, which a prodigall mind wil nei∣ther bee taught how to vse, nor how to consider well off but to his owne liking.

The rebellious minde that séekes but blood, sedition, change of state and gouernement, makes a man runne gadding like a

Gosling to listen after news, and alteration of Religion, as nothing could please him but forrayne follies, and strange tyr∣ranie, murmuring, and finding faulte with Countries quiet∣nesse, and desirous of troublesome seruitude, or at least willing to see some sodaine sturre, and strange accidents. This mis∣chieuous and male-contented mind, is swift to sow discord and shed innocent blood, and slow to saue his owne credit & Coun∣trey, ready and apt to forget God, and most vnwilling to for∣giue any iniurie, a beginner of all brable and contention, and a mayntayner of all execrable acts and enterprises. Now passing ouer the rusticall rable of Rogues, Uacabounds, Ruffi∣ans, Roysters, and rancke Rebels, (whose mischieuous minds surmounts all the rest in villanie, filthynes, reueling, rudenes, trecherie, and treasons, the fruites whereof are but beggery, banishment, and wretchednesse, that brings the maislers of that misrule to Tiborne, & a shamefull end,) I come to the malici∣ous mindes of our Forrein enemies (many in number) that are so drowned in a deadly desire of hatred, wilfulnes, obstina∣cie, papistrie, and old worm-eaten Religion, that they cannot see nor well vnderstand what they goe about. There minds carries them headlong into many hellish & damnable deuises, making account of that which neuer shall be there own I hope, and making their boast of conquest, victorie, & triumph, before they dare fight for it, or attempt manly to trie, who shall finde Fortune most fauourable, & what partie hath God & the right of their side. And further to bee marueled at (a matter most mōstruous in iudgement) they were come into our C••astes in ships of great burthen, fraught & filled with great riches, mu∣nition, and men, hauing in the same shippes to countenaunce their quarrell numbers of Noble houses, Friers, Priests, En∣glish Traytors, Spanish Women, and such like people, as were come to possesse a Country & kingdom that easily should bee gotten, which kingdome is so noblie peopled and furnished that I doubt not but the sight and bare vew of this stoute na∣tion shall make the Spaniards abashed, and yet behold (to proue

A man is but his mind) our Enemies haue such minds to doe wrong, and haue such hope that they are appoynted to bée the scourge of God, that they saie openly they haue commission to kill man, woman and child, and to saue none aboue the age of seauen yeare old, loe heere is a goodly mind, a goodly commi∣ssion, and a goodly sorte of Fooles, that thinks so populous a Countrey as this will be so soone supplanted, a wise companie of wild Geese, that with a little gagling and thrusting out the necke, beleeus to bring to passe so great a matter, you neuer heard of more madder minded men than these are, that came to sit downe in other mens houses, before they knew the good will of their Hosts, and bow déerely they were like to pay for the purchase, ere they shold make their entry, or set their féet on any péece of this Land, and by my troth they goe about a pretty Bargaine to offer the sheeding of so much blood, and especially do bring hither so paltring a Commission, so voide of Christia∣nitie, and shall cost so manie a broken head, before any iott or parcell of the same commaundement be put in execution.

Now heere is to bee spoken and treated of good and godly mindes that peaceably shall possesse their soules in patience, & these patient mindes, are those that sees other men preferd (as the affection of some will haue it so) and beholdes themselues abiects, that neither want, vertue, nor valiance, yea they find few good turnes and suffer many iniuries boastes little of their seruice, and are greatly to be praysed, being men of good years, and experience, and yet of bad Fortune and ability, fauoured of some that can doe but little for them, yet holpen or aided of no one body that haue power to aduaunce them, the men of this minde makes much of a little and seldome comes to any greate portion, and so because mine owne desteny is not the best, and being loath to put on a worse minde then now last I haue spo∣ken of, I knit vp all this discourse in these fewe wordes, and thus I bid you farewell. Hoping that the mindes of men, (though they are seuerall in disposition) will now draw all in one yoke to hold out the enemies of our Countrey, and to stand

together against all forraine inuasions, and forget all kinde of quarrelling among our selues, that often times hath bred in manie kingdomes ciuile warres and sorrowfull dissentions. The plagues and plaine examples therof being well waighed, will (I doubt not) make our noble Nation be not only mindful of their libertie and honor, but in like manner make vs all of one good mind, resolution, courage, and manhood.

FINIS.