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 ...

A good Conscience, the best Friend. [ 1464]

WOrldly Friends are uncertain,* 1.1 they go and come, and stand afar off when they should be most near; they love not in time of trouble, they are loath to come to a sick Man's bed side; or if so, they cannot abide to hear his groans; And by no means to see a dead Man; at the most they can but follow one to the grave,* 1.2 and there leave him. But a good Conscience will make one's bed in sick∣nesse, and cause him to lye the softer; will stand by him when he groans, and do him comfort; will hearten him upon Death when it's coming, and say; Thy Redeemer liveth; will whisper to him when departing, and say; Thy Warfare is accomplished; will lodge the body in grave as in a bed; mann the Soul to Heaven, and make it able to look God in the face without any terrour; yea, so

fast a Friend is a good Conscience, that when Riches, Husband, Wife, Parents, Friends, Breath, Life, nay, Patience, Hope, Faith have left us, in some mea∣sure, it will stick close unto us.

Notes

• * 1.1

  J. Denison, Serm. at Court, 1621.
• * 1.2

  Bona C••nsci∣entia hortus d••liciarum, aula Dei, &c. Hug. l. 2. de anima. cap. 9.