Kaina kai palaia Things new and old, or, A store-house of similies, sentences, allegories, apophthegms, adagies, apologues, divine, morall, politicall, &c. : with their severall applications / collected and observed from the writings and sayings of the learned in all ages to this present by John Spencer ...

[ 1285] How to know whether we are more grieved for sin, then for worldly Sorrow and Trouble.

WHen a Man is brought to a low Condition, and a great decay in the world, so that his Trade is quite fallen, and his stock spent: Now if such a Man be more troubled for his sin that brought him to so low an ebbe in the World, then for the Affliction and trouble it selfe;* 1.1 then he will not commit a fin to repair and make up his losses, though he did know assuredly, that the committing of such a sin, would make up all again; As in the story of a Nobleman, whose Son and Heir was supposed to be bewitched, and being advised to go to some Wizard or Cun∣ning-man,

(as they are called) to have some help for his Son, that he might be unwitched again; He answered; O, by no means, I had rather the witch should have my Son, then the Devill: But i•• a Man make no Conscience to avoid, or remove an Af∣fliction; If he will break the hedge of a fair Command, to avoid the foul way of some heavy Affliction, it is a sign that he mourns more for the cross that lies upon him, then for his Sins and Trespasses, and that he never grieved so much for his cor∣ruptions, as for his corrections.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Rich▪ de Medi∣avilla. Clavis David.